Introduced a policy on switching off lights
Maximise use of natural light to minimise lights being switched on unnecessarily
30 points for this action
Overview
Switching Off Lights
Many schools have the benefit of large windows enabling adequate natural daylight to enter rooms. Despite this, lights are often left on when not required and window space may be obstructed with posters and displays of pupils’ work, which reduces the amount of daylight. The steps below will help you to make best use of natural daylight to reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. Use these suggestions to help write a school policy on switching off lights.
Many schools have the benefit of large windows enabling adequate natural daylight to enter rooms. Despite this, lights are often left on when not required and window space may be obstructed with posters and displays of pupils’ work, which reduces the amount of daylight. The steps below will help you to make best use of natural daylight to reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. Use these suggestions to help write a school policy on switching off lights.
- Each class should have a lighting monitor who will monitor the lighting in their classroom.
- Ask your Eco Team to do spot checks throughout the term.
- Get your Eco Team to report to the Headteacher about areas where lights are being left on.
- Review your policy and progress on a regular basis involving the Headteacher and the Site Manager.
In order to increase the amount of natural light in classrooms:
- Ensure that windows are clear of displays, posters and furniture to allow the maximum amount of natural light.
- Nominate a pupil per classroom to act as the lighting monitor.
- The lighting monitor should work with the teacher to ensure the best use of blinds. For example, vertical blinds can be altered to direct sunlight away from computer screens and whiteboards whilst still allowing diffuse daylight to enter the room. Try to avoid situations where blinds are closed and lights are on.
In order to reduce lights being switched on unnecessarily:
- Task the lighting monitors to keep an eye on the level of daylight throughout the school day; if there is an adequate amount of daylight to work comfortably, the lighting monitor should switch off the lights.
In order to ensure that lights are not being left on when not in use:
- Make sure the lighting monitor switches the classroom lights off when the class leaves the room
- Allow lighting monitors to switch off lights in rooms around the school that are not being used e.g. resource rooms, libraries, breakout spaces.