Oakmeeds Community College:


Oakmeeds ECO Code
We will reduce our Carbon Footprint by the following means : - • A 10% reduction of energy consumption [ electricity and gas ] There are 250 computers in the school and if just 25 of those get shut down every time they are not in use for an hour that would save 10% of our hourly electricity bill each time
• A 10% reduction of car use for transport The 120 school staff come to school for 180 days each year so if 12 people didn’t use their car 18 times in the year [ or six times each term ] we would achieve a 10% reduction in Carbon emissions
Also we will aim at :- • A 10% reduction of water usage • A 10% increase in rain-water recycling These two are combined - if we install rain water butts on one out of ten downpipes and then use that water on plants around the school instead of a hose we could save tap water
• A 10% reduction in waste and litter This needs some attention to consider what could work best
• A 10% increase in the use of recycled paper We could use recycled paper on just 10% of the school’s photo copying
• A 10% increase in the production and use of own -grown vegetables or fruit We are growing fruit and vegetables in the school grounds
• A 10% increase in composting We are going to increase our use of the school compost on our vegetable and flower beds
• A 10% improvement in healthier lifestyles through better food and more exercise This needs some attention to consider what could work best
• An increase in ECO awareness throughout the school through cross-curricular activity. Out of 900 hours of school work in a year, could each teacher refer to the consequences of Climate Change / Global Warming / Sustainability / Carbon Footprints / Energy production and use / etc. FOR ONE HOUR
• Making SUSTAINABILITY a key feature in the school development plan This needs some attention to consider what could work best
We will encourage parents to adopt this code at home [ this code follows the 10% Challenge adopted by West Sussex County Council ] ( see http://www.10percentchallenge.org.uk )
There is no time scale for these aims as some will be achieved quicker than others. Once each goal is reached it must be maintained or improved on.