Wessex Learning Trust
About Us Sustainability
Nailsea School is working hard to lessen its impact on the environment – in the drop down boxes below are some examples of what we are doing to try and help the planet.
We want to lead by example, taking climate change, and environmental sustainability issues seriously. As a school we are constantly trying to strike a balance between economic and environmental costs.
What will you do to help?
We hope the choices we have made will inspire you to make your own changes.
For example: Nailsea School was fortunate enough to receive funding from the Megawatt fund and has managed to change many of its light bulbs to LED ones. LED bulbs can save up to 90% energy, lessen our carbon footprint and reduce our energy costs.
YOU can help by changing ONE bulb at a time!
Nailsea School has an Eco Group, they met regularly and are an active voice within the school. The group have been instrumental to the many environmentally beneficial changes we have seen around school., including us gaining Eco-School status.
Protecting natural habitats helps increase biodiversity, and a greater diversity of species ensures more sustainability for all life forms – including humans!
Here’s what we’re doing to help. . .
Students have planted a wild flower bed to provide a rich habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. They are also having a go at growing food!
The DEN stands for Developing Engagement through Nature and aims to encourage students to enjoy the natural environment and improve their knowledge and understanding of it.
Using public transport, walking and cycling to school is encouraged and the covered bike sheds are used by both staff and students.
To encourage a diverse ecosystem the Wild Club has built bug homes and bird feeders and there are nesting boxes dotted around the grounds of the school.
Landscaping of the school includes areas of natural habitat, a pond and native trees creating an ideal Nature Reserve. More recent planting provides natural screening and an environmentally friendly drainage system.
Reducing greenhouse gasses such as carbon helps to combat climate change. Using less energy and switching to renewable sources not only reduces carbon emissions from fossil fuels but also provides energy security.
A Heat Recovery System extracts heat from the building and recirculates it with fresh air as it enters the building, this is an energy efficient way of heating the school.
A biomass boiler is used to heat the school during the winter months. Biomass fuel is a renewable energy source and is considered to be carbon neutral.
Solar panels on the school roof assist with the heating of the domestic hot water supply which helps reduce the consumption of gas and biomass fuel.
The computerised Building Management System (BMS) saves on electricity, gas and biomass fuel consumption, as it can be programmed to run the plant in line with the occupancy of the building.
The DEN has its own solar panel, the electricity it produces is used by students learning in the DEN area. Solar and wind powered lights are based around the sports facilities.
Installation of low energy LED lighting is reducing the use of electricity consumption.
Classrooms and administration areas have lighting sensors, so the lighting is only on when the room is in use, saving energy.
Our throw-away culture has led to huge swathes of natural habitat being damaged. Reducing waste and taking only what you need will conserve space in landfill sites, and reduce the need to build more. Landfill sites are a source of land, air and water pollution.
Watercoolers can be found throughout the building, supplying fresh drinking water on tap. This encourages the use of reusable water bottles decreasing the need for single use plastics.
To save valuable drinking water, rainwater is harvested and used in the majority of toilet areas for flushing WCs saving gallons of water a day.
Most school printing is accounted for and costed, this prevents excess printing saving paper. Likewise the school used a paperless email system to communicate to 97% of its parents
Paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles as well as batteries are recycled including worn out or broken IT equipment.
The school canteen has ditched non-biodegradable (polysterene) take-away food containers for those which are compostable.
By carefully planning menus and understanding the needs of the school, food waste is minimised.
The cafeteria has switched from single use plastic cutlery to biodegradable bamboo cutlery and we are encouraging students to bring their own metal cutlery to school.
