Bembridge C.E. Primary School

Bembridge CE Primary School told us: “The children have been coming up with ways that they would like the school to be better for the environment, more specifically we have been thinking creatively about how climate change is unfolding, following a workshop in September 2021”

“Our aim is to eventually convert all of our lighting to LED leaving a lasting benefit to the school. Our current outdoor lighting is permanently turned on around the walls of the school building with conventional light bulbs. LED bulbs are up to 80% more efficient but also by putting them on a sensor/timer we would be reducing our light pollution at night when they are not required.”

Judges were impressed with the pupils’ proposal and awarded the school a £816 grant from Wightlink’s Green Fund for Schools.

The new Bembridge lights are low-energy and have motion sensors so they switch off when no one is around. Local company TL Electrical fitted the lights.  Sara Price, school business manager, says: “With energy process rising so steeply it was a very timely project. It has also given us the perfect opportunity to speak to children about how we get our energy and how important it is to use it carefully.”

Wightlink’s port operations manager Dean Murphy said “It was great to visit an Island primary school and see how sustainability and looking after the planet are such a big part of learning.”

We caught up with the school in November 2022 and they told us:

“The donation that supplied us with more energy efficient outdoor lighting has kick-started the school council into coming up with other ways that we can save energy and help the environment. The children have been busy meeting and sharing ideas.

Furthermore as the weather is changing and the clocks have changed the lighting has been helpful for staff at night and allowed us to be much safer when we have after school events.”