Students and teaching staff in Isle of Wight schools are to learn how to be more eco-efficient this coming academic year. A free touring roadshow run by Island educational charity the Footprint Trust is to visit schools over the current term.

The free service involves the whole school in activities aimed at improving the understanding of environmental issues. Part of the day includes a workshop called ‘Life Cycle’. This goes into details about global issues such as pollution, waste, water and oil resources.

Students and staff can also take part in an ‘Eco Audit’ of their school. This highlights good practice, such as switching off lights and PC monitors when not in use, and how to use water and energy more efficiently. It’s estimated a typical school could save as much as £1000 a year in energy and water bills by being more efficient.

The free workshops run by the Footprint Trust all contribute to helping Isle of Wight Council realise its Eco-Island vision by 2020. The government has also issued a report encouraging schools across the UK to halve their carbon footprints also by 2020.

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for Children and Young People Alan Wells said

“This is a great scheme and one the council supports. Climate change and ways to help the environment are topics that are constantly in the news. By showing students and indeed teachers how the little things, such as turning off lights,  fixing leaking taps and reducing waste can make such a big difference is very important in today’s society.”

The Footprint Trust will be visiting a number of schools over the coming months. The team will be at Brighstone Primary School on Tuesday 16th September.