First wind-powered primary school

TdaNews Direct
Published: 23 October, 2007

A UK primary school has become the first of its kind to be wind-powered.

Cassop Primary School in Durham has installed a wind turbine on its grounds in a bid to teach pupils about protecting the environment and reduce its carbon footprint.

The school, which has just over 100 pupils, was presented with the Department for Children, Schools and Families Award for Sustainable Schools at the National Teaching Awards ceremony this month, held at the London Palladium.

Jim McManners, headteacher at the school, told The Independent how the decision to become wind-powered came about.

"I thought there were great possibilities about using the environment because I thought it was something that people in the village could be proud of," he said.

Mr McManners, who was previously a biologist, has organised a range of environmental teaching events at the school which have inspired visits to Cassop from educationalists wishing to learn about its green practices.

The National Teaching Awards honoured outstanding teachers, classroom assistants and school governors and was screened on BBC2 last week.