Greenhill Primary in Gelligaer has recently celebrated the first anniversary of its official opening.
The first school in the country to receive an Energy Performance Rating of A+, the multi-award winning school has been praised for being one of the most sustainable schools in England and Wales.
Pupils have access to top-of-the-range technology including iMacs, 30 iPads and a green screen to learn about the environment.
Tanisha Watts, a Year 6 pupil at Greenhill, said: “We use the green screen to make our Newsround show every half term, I think it is absolutely amazing.”
Joe Wallen, another Year 6 pupil added: “We use the Garage Band app on the iPad in our music lessons, it’s great especially for the piano.”
Since opening the school has reduced its carbon footprint by 57 tonnes. This has been achieved through the use of renewable energy sources at the site including photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and a micro combined heat and power unit.
Approximately 118 Megawatts of electricity has been generated from these sources, the surplus of which was exported to the main electrical grid. Revenue of around £33,000 has been earned for the Authority in addition to a £5,000 reduction in electricity import charges to the school.
Cllr Ken James, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainability for Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “What a successful first year it has been for Greenhill Primary School. It is becoming increasingly important for everyone to understand that sustainable energy is essential for our future. The council have a continuing priority to reducing our carbon footprint right across the county borough and Greenhill are setting a fine example.”
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, cabinet member for education, added: “It is a pleasure, and no surprise, to see that the most energy efficient school in Britain has done so well in their first year of officially being open. The pupils are all benefitting massively from the first rate technology available in class and are learning invaluable lessons about environmental responsibility. Happy 1st Birthday Greenhill.”