Following on from the College ‘Switch off and Save’ campaign, launched last year, the ‘Eco- Schools Group‘ organized a ‘low power’ day to encourage all pupils and staff  to switch off unnecessary lights, close down PCs and reduce photocopying.

The idea behind the day was to see how well classes could function with minimal lighting and use of computers and other electrically-powered equipment.

Geography teacher Clare Jackson, the College Eco-Schools co-ordinator, said the day proved an interesting challenge but also a very worthwhile exercise.

It was the first initiative in a range of eco-friendly measures which will be taking place at the College in the coming months.

Other ideas involve recycling paper in all classrooms and boarding houses, urging parents to car share and including a ‘tip of the week’ in the school bulletin to encourage ‘green living’ among staff and students.

Miss Jackson said: “The Switch Off and Save campaign has proved very popular but, with a third of the school pupils being new this term, we thought it would be a good idea to refresh everyone’s memory about the importance of saving power.”

A group of 15 students from throughout the College meet each week to discuss a range of eco-friendly measures and ways in which the College can behave in a more environmentally-friendly was.

Mrs Jackson said: “There is no excuse for not recycling paper in this day and age yet most of ours still ends up in the regular waste bins. We aim to change all of that in the coming months as well as introducing a range of other measures which are more environmentally-friendly. This is something our students feel very strongly about and it is encouraging to see the ideas they are coming up with.”