Eco School
We are absolutely delighted to hear that we have been awarded The Green Flag Award in recognition of all the work we have done as an International Eco School. Mrs Cooper, our retired Assistant Headteacher has guided the school through the Bronze and Silver awards and then kindly came out of retirement to speak to the Green Flag assessor! He was very impressed with everything that the school has been involved with over the years, under Mrs Cooper's watchful eye.
Now Mrs Cooper has retired, Mrs Whitfield looks after our Eco Council and Eco Club. We meet each week to discuss topics and work on our next project! Watch this space for further details.
Biomass Project
BIOMASS BOILER
The installation of our Biomass Boiler and photovoltaic solar panels was completed during the Autumn term 2011.
Our ancient oil boiler was at the end of its life and, with great trepidation, a group of dedicated governors set about researching alternative heating systems.
Once it was decided which systems were most appropriate, we then embarked on fundraising with the support of James Watson of Natural Generation. We were very fortunate to receive funding from a number of sources including CSEP; EDF; NNPA; EC Graham Belford Charitable Settlement; The Smith (Haltwhistle and District) Charity and Councillor Alan Sharp.
Our school site was a hive of industry over the summer holidays as contractors worked on the installation.
We were delighted to receive recognition from Chris Huhne (Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at the time).
SCHOOL’S RENEWABLE ENERGY SCHEME WINS MINISTERIAL PRAISE (November 2011)
Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has praised the efforts of a small Northumberland school for showing how national targets for carbon reduction can be translated into positive action at the grass roots level.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate Shaftoe Trust First School on their achievements on energy efficiency and on reducing their carbon footprint. The pupils at the school should be proud that this project means their classrooms will be powered by hi-tech and green energy.
“This fantastic example shows that schools, and community groups too, can play a lead role in our efforts to reduce the amount of energy we use and fight climate change.”
said Mr Huhne, on the efforts of Shaftoe Trust First School, Haydon Bridge, to dramatically cut its carbon footprint. Government commitments for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 can only be met if matched by efforts at a community level.
A Grand Opening Ceremony was held in school on Friday 2nd December to celebrate our school's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
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In March 2015, now a primary school, the governors embarked on their next venture, extending the biomass boiler system out to the old Early Years Unit, now to be known as the new technical block, replacing the bottled gas that had been previously used to heat it. The installation of the heating and hot water system out to the block is the first step in an upgrading process needed as the school is now a primary school and needs extra classroom space!