Sunlight plays an important role in saving energy and educating pupils at Riverside Community College. The college was thrilled to be chosen as one of five schools in Leicester to receive solar panels from the Big Brother house.
The photovoltaic panels, installed on the south side of the school's roof, transform the sun's rays into electricity. Business Manager Bimal Sheta said: “These panels have really helped to get our pupils interested in environmental issues. They have been particularly useful to the science department in bringing energy-saving issues to life.”
After this successful project, Riverside was keen to explore other opportunities to save energy through solar features. Leicester City Council invested £100,000 to install 23 sun pipes in the roof of the school's library and two classrooms.
These glazed pipes, which contain mirrors to reflect the sunshine, can significantly reduce the amount of artificial lighting needed.
Mr Sheta added: “The sun pipes have made a massive difference. When it is really bright in the summer, we do not have to switch any lights on in the library at all. I also think it is fantastic for our pupils to be able to work in natural daylight.”
Riverside in Lyncote Road, Rowley Fields, has also conserved water by installing flow restricted tap jets, push taps and urinal flushing controls in the toilet blocks. And the college uses green products such as FSC timber from renewable forests and low VOC paints for all of its refurbishments.
Pupils are also encouraged to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. They can already cycle to school because Riverside has a secure bike shed, but this could become even easier with the development of a new Sustrans route nearby. The college has bid for £20,000 to build a brand new bike shed and promote cycling to its pupils.
Riverside is gearing up for an even more ambitious project in the future. Mr Sheta said: “We would really like to install a passive stack ventilation system. This would cost about £100,000, but would allow us to ventilate the college naturally. This would be environmentally friendly and make the classrooms much more comfortable for staff and students in the summer.”
For further details about Riverside’s green features contact Business Manager Bimal Sheta on 0116 223 4352 or email bsheta@riverside.leicester.sch.uk .
Outstanding environmental features:
Photovoltaic system
Other green features:
Designated recycling area, gas condensing boiler, draught lobby entrance, flow restricted tap jets, push taps, urinal flushing controls, cycle parking, low VOC paints, PVC alternatives, natural floor coverings, recycled materials and grounds managed to protect the habitat.