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  1. Schools
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  3. Harris Primary Academy Shortlands

Carry out a campaign to inform staff and pupils about the importance of classroom layout to keep the heating running efficiently

Harris Primary Academy Shortlands, Friday, 30 June 2023
30 Change-maker KS2, KS3

What you did

I want to share with you an exciting campaign we recently launched at our school to raise awareness about the importance of classroom layout for energy efficiency. We believed that small actions could make a big difference, and this campaign focused on ensuring that our heating system ran efficiently by keeping radiators free from obstructions.


To prepare for the new academic year(23-24), we wanted to create a comfortable and energy-efficient learning environment for all our staff and pupils. We understood that obstructed radiators could hinder the circulation of heat into the classroom, which not only affected the comfort of everyone in the room but also required more energy to meet the heating demand. So, we decided to take action and educate everyone about this issue.


We kicked off the campaign by holding a special assembly where I, as the headteacher, addressed the importance of energy conservation and explained how small changes in classroom layout could make a significant impact. I shared examples and visuals to help the children understand how radiators worked and why it was essential to keep them unobstructed.


To further engage the pupils, we organized interactive workshops in collaboration with the science department. These workshops allowed the children to experiment with temperature sensors and observe the impact of obstructions on heat distribution. The hands-on experience helped them grasp the concept and increased their enthusiasm for the campaign.


We also involved our teaching staff in this initiative. During professional development sessions, we provided them with resources and training materials on energy-efficient classroom layouts. We discussed practical strategies such as arranging furniture away from radiators, ensuring that shelves and storage units did not block the heat, and promoting good ventilation.


To reinforce the message, we created eye-catching posters and placed them strategically around the school. These posters featured vibrant illustrations and friendly reminders about keeping radiators unobstructed. Additionally, we encouraged pupils to design their own posters and displayed the best ones across the school, showcasing their creativity and commitment to energy conservation.


To monitor progress, we conducted regular classroom inspections. Our eco-monitoring team, consisting of a group of environmentally conscious pupils, checked each classroom to ensure that radiators were free from obstructions. They prepared a checklist and documented any issues found, providing feedback and guidance to the teachers.


As a result of this campaign, we witnessed a positive change in classroom layout practices. Teachers became more aware of the importance of unobstructed radiators and actively implemented the suggested strategies. Pupils also embraced the concept and started reminding each other to keep radiators clear during class activities.


By taking these simple yet effective steps, we set the stage for a more energy-efficient and comfortable learning environment in the new academic year. The campaign not only educated and empowered our pupils but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility towards energy conservation.

Activity description

Introduction
Schools always have lots of activities going on and furniture is constantly being rearranged to accommodate students’ needs. It is important to make sure radiators and vents are not obstructed by any equipment and that filters are kept clean and free of dust. This ensures better circulation of heat into the space and reduces the energy required to meet the heating demand.

Planning
  1. Draw the layout of your classroom or building. Make suggestions about how the furniture could be better placed so that radiators and vents are not obstructed and so that the warmth of equipment such as computers does not affect students, teachers or thermostats. The best group could present their findings to the class. 
  2. Assist your teacher to rearrange the classroom to keep radiators and heating vents clear. 
  3. Ask your school cleaners/caretaker to clean any vents so they are free of dust and debris. 
  4. Now plan a campaign to share your best practice with other classes throughout the school. Emphasis the environmental and cost savings, as well as increased comfort for classroom users. Draw some diagrams to illustrate the best layouts for energy saving. 
  5. Inspect all the classrooms around the school, and highlight the worst offenders for obstructed radiators and heating vents. Target these areas of the school first with your campaign. 

Next Steps to save Energy
  1. The trouble with radiators is that while one side heats your room up, the other side is putting the same amount of effort into heating the wall. This is especially bad on external walls, the heat just goes straight outside! Radiator panels help to reflect that heat back into the room. Ask your school management team to consider adding radiator panels to appropriate radiators around your school. The panels slot in behind the radiator, and stick to the wall using double-sided tape. It’s best to start with external walls that aren’t insulated. Radiator panels have been shown to reduce the heat flow by approximately 45% through the section of wall directly behind the radiator. 
  2. Ensure windows are free of displays, and resources, and blinds are left open whenever possible to maximise natural light entering the room. This will minimise the need for artificial light. 

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