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 Spot check to see if lights or electrical items are left on at lunch time (KS1, KS2)
10 Use appliance monitors to understand the energy use of individual appliances (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Review school heating timings (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Investigate how the school's hot water is heated (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Investigate the school's thermostats (KS1, KS2)
10 Find out when your school's energy use changes (KS1, KS2)
10 Measure classroom temperatures (KS1, KS2)
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 Energy audit of the school kitchens (KS3, KS4)
30 Monitor light levels in classrooms (KS3)
30 Energy audit of the school science labs and design technology workshops (KS3)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
5 Review energy usage charts (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Units of energy and understanding energy bills (KS3)
10 Renewable sources of energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Use energy data during maths lessons (KS1, KS2)
10 Appliances that use energy at home and school (KS1, KS2)
10 Save energy in the kitchen in Food Technology (KS3)
10 Where energy comes from and its impact on the environment (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 How insulation saves energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Smart meters and their benefits for saving energy (KS2, KS3)
10 Solar thermal heating, solar furnaces and solar ovens (KS2, KS3)
30 Solar PV panels and how to increase their efficiency (KS3)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Do a creative activity themed around energy saving (KS1, KS2)
10 Pupils meet with the office staff to discuss their role in saving energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Pupils meet the Business Manager to discuss the school's energy usage and bills (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Share the energy saving message with parents and the local community (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Pupils meet with kitchen staff to discuss their role in saving energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Pupils communicate with lunchtime supervisors and cleaning staff about saving energy (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Run an assembly about saving energy (KS1, KS2)
20 Create an energy saving display (KS1, KS2)
20 Appoints a team of adults and pupils to lead on energy efficiency (eg Energy Team) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
5 Appoint pupil energy monitors in all classes (KS1, KS2)
5 Thermometers are put in each classroom to monitor room temperature (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)
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 improve efficiency of school lighting (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Staff check boiler controls are optimal (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Run a campaign to close doors and windows when the heating is on (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Turn the school heating down by 1°C (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
50 Run a campaign to promote sustainable and energy saving travel to school (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
50 Improve your school's insulation (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
5 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2, KS3)
10 Introduce an energy efficiency reward system (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
20 Governors discuss energy efficiency in Governors' meeting (KS1, KS2, KS3)
20 Teachers discuss energy efficiency in a staff meeting (KS1, KS2, KS3)
30 Run a themed event focused on energy use (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
30 Introduce a policy on switching off lights and IT (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)
10 Other (please specify) (KS1, KS2)