Each school's energy-saving journey will evolve in a different way. But a well-designed energy-saving plan will involve a balance of activities from each of the following categories.
Choose a category below to explore the list of recommended activities. More detail is provided about each activity to help you complete it.
Completing activities will allow you to score points and earn awards.
The figure in the green square is the number of points each activity is worth, 10 points for example: 10
Choose a category below to explore the list of recommended activities. More detail and resources are provided for each activity to help you complete it. Activities are currently filtered by the curriculum stage of your school. You can change this if you wish to explore the activities available for older and younger pupils.
5 Spot check to see if lights or electrical items are left on after school (KS1, KS2)
5 Monitor whether outside doors and windows are closed during cold weather (KS1, KS2)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
5 Spot check to see if lights or electrical items are left on at lunch time (KS1, KS2)
10 Investigate how the school's hot water is heated (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Compare energy use for heating with outside temperature data (KS1, KS2)
10 Review school heating timings (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Measure classroom temperatures (KS1, KS2)
10 Investigate the school's thermostats (KS1, KS2)
10 Find out when your school's energy use changes (KS1, KS2)
10 Use appliance monitors to understand the energy use of individual appliances (KS1, KS2, KS3)
20 Investigate how much energy families use at home (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Monitor whether electrical appliances and lights are left on or on standby after school. (KS3)
30 Monitor light levels in classrooms (KS3)
30 Energy audit of the school kitchens (KS3)
30 Energy audit of the school science labs and design technology workshops (KS3)
5 Review energy usage charts (KS1, KS2, KS3)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Where energy comes from and its impact on the environment (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Use energy data during maths lessons (KS1, KS2)
10 Units of energy and understanding energy bills (KS3)
10 Smart meters and their benefits for saving energy (KS2, KS3)
10 Solar thermal heating, solar furnaces and solar ovens (KS2, KS3)
10 Save energy in the kitchen in Food Technology (KS3)
10 Renewable sources of energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 How insulation saves energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Appliances that use energy at home and school (KS1, KS2)
30 Solar PV panels and how to increase their efficiency (KS3)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Pupils meet with the office staff to discuss their role in saving energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Run an assembly about saving energy (KS1, KS2)
10 Pupils meet with kitchen staff to discuss their role in saving energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Share the energy saving message with parents and the local community (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Pupils meet the Business Manager to discuss the school's energy usage and bills (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Pupils communicate with lunchtime supervisors and cleaning staff about saving energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Do a creative activity themed around energy saving (KS1, KS2)
20 Appoints a team of adults and pupils to lead on energy efficiency (eg Energy Team) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
20 Create an energy saving display (KS1, KS2)
5 Make draught proofing equipment (KS1, KS2)
5 Label lights and appliances to show which should be left on or turned off (KS1, KS2)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
5 Thermometers are put in each classroom to monitor room temperature (KS1, KS2)
5 Appoint pupil energy monitors in all classes (KS1, KS2)
30 Turn the school heating down by 1°C (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
30 Run a campaign to close doors and windows when the heating is on (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Staff improve efficiency of school lighting (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Run a campaign to switch off electrical equipment overnight (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Run a campaign to switch off lights and use natural light on sunny days (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Staff check boiler controls are optimal (KS1, KS2, KS3)
50 Improve your school's insulation (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
50 Run a campaign to promote sustainable and energy saving travel to school (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
10 Introduce an energy efficiency reward system (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
10 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2)
20 Teachers discuss energy efficiency in a staff meeting (KS1, KS2, KS3)
20 Governors discuss energy efficiency in Governors' meeting (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Introduce a policy on switching off lights and IT (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
30 Run a themed event focused on energy use (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
30 Introduce a policy on classroom temperature (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
50 Run a longer term switch-off campaign at school (eg Switch Off Fortnight) (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)