Create and maintain a holiday switch off list
Summerhill Academy, Wednesday, 21 January 2026
35 points
10 pupils
Behaviour change
SUMMERHILL ACADEMY - ENERGY SAVING
Awareness & behaviour – Immediate impact at a low cost
1. Energy Monitors – Students are appointed as energy monitors.
2. Closing of doors and blinds – Keeping classroom doors shut to retain heat, blinds are thermal blackout type to help reduce heat loss and any gain.
3. Ventilation and natural light – Maximise and make use of natural daylight and cross ventilation for heating and cooling rooms.
4. Holiday periods – Premises power down all non-essential items during holiday periods. (boilers, single use boilers, pc equipment, printers, zip boilers etc)
5. Outdoor lighting – timers set for reduced times for winter and off during the summer months.
6. Switch off campaign during the working day – rooms not used during breaks lights/screens off to save energy.
System & operational changes – Medium term forecast
1. Water Saving - We have insulated as many hot pipes as possible to maintain heat and turn off over holiday periods.
2. Staff room & kitchens – Microwaves are used for staff, dishwashers ran in eco mode and switched of when not in use. Fridges in the staffroom go off during holidays along with the zip boiler, and maintain a good ventilation
3. Heating and cooling – optimise the heating so there is no overheating, systems are off over the weekends when not needed, check doors and windows for alignment to reduce drafts/leaks.
4. Smart controls – Motion sensors for lighting is in some parts of the site, corridors and toilets. Heating is on a timed BMS system, single point of use and zip boiler is on timers, also outside lighting.
Investments & Upgrades to date and going forward – Long Term
1. To date - new main roof and insulation.
2. To date – new flat roof and insulation to replace old glass atriums.
3. To date – Led lighting throughout the site.
4. To date – timers to appliances single point of use.
5. To date – some corridors and toilets already have sensors.
6. To date – all pc’s, screens, non-essential electrical items turned off.
7. To date – all appliances are modern except heating systems.
8. To date – 95% recycling on site, general, tins, plastics, card, paper, glass, soft plastics, food waste is used to provide energy elsewhere.
9. To date – regular meetings with Eco Group to set goals and update on changes. Consists of 10 pupils + adults.
10. To date – Pushing the message out to parents to help change how we use our homes and recycling.
11. To date - Assemblies to update whole school on actions and targets.
12. To date clothes bank recycling and fund raising.
13. Renewables to do – upgrade heating/BMS to modernise. (Heat pumps/biomass)
14. Renewables to do – BMS to be software controlled for efficiency.
15. Renewables to do - Investigate solar panels as may not be an option due to roof type. No ground space.
16. Energy incentives from companies.
17. Further sensors to remaining site.
