OKEHAMPTON College and its eleven feeder primary schools are fast becoming the first learning community anywhere to embrace energy efficiency on a large scale.

As they continue their pledge to reduce dependency on fossil derived energy, the college and Okehampton Primary School are set to install new solar panels for their roofs. 

The new vocational training centre at the college will have 20 kW of grid-connected solar PV and solar thermal, thanks to a Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) award and a grant from the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund.

Okehampton College principal Daryll Chapman said the project would allow students to consider energy saving measures.

'It will enable the students to focus on their thinking about their future and will be a part of their lives for years to come.

'We as a learning community, have an opportunity to make a difference and it is our responsibility to make sure students and the community do their bit and make that difference. Each and every one of us can save energy.'

He said science teacher Keith Webber was the driving force behind the project.

'The work he has done with the students and community has been outstanding. He has brought to the children's attention just what an effect they can have on the environment.'

Mr Chapman said becoming the first learning community meant a lot to the college: 'We want to be seen as pro-active and to have every school in the learning community focusing on saving energy.'

As well as themed curriculum days, the college has staged well attended evening community events, used to inform parents and the public about energy efficiency and renewable energy.

It also received a grant from EDF Energy, which provided a grid-connected first phase 10 kW solar PV system. The system boasts a web-based dashboard which allows students to monitor the college's usage and production of electricity.

The college has seen a vast drop in the amount of electric consumed, with 22% less in November 2008 than in the previous year.

Mr Webber said that as a specialist technology college and vocational training centre, the college was required to find ways to engage with the community.

He said: 'This is a tangible way of helping to communicate how to acquire energy saving technology.

'I would also like to add that we are profoundly grateful to the Okehampton Times for all the support they have shown us. A lot of people have commented on that and it is fantastic to have them on board.'

The college has been working closely with Okehampton Primary School which is also set to install solar panels after securing a £29,000 grant from the Low Carbon Trust.

The grant will cover 50% of the work needed for the new panels. Headteacher of Okehampton Primary Brian Cunningham said: 'We are confident as a learning community, we will secure the match funding within the next six months.

'With the schools working so closely together as a learning community, we will all benefit in the long run. The children are learning about conserving energy and the environment will improve.

'It is on our agenda to be more energy-efficient and it is great for us to have the opportunity to further our efforts to be an eco-school.

'The plans for the solar panels have come around a lot quicker than we first expected but it is really ground-breaking and exciting for all the schools to be helping the environment.'

Mr Cunningham said the school has started to prepare for the new development: 'The building has been surveyed and we are well placed to go ahead. We have already had some tree lopping done to reduce the shading.'

The college and its feeder schools still need to secure match funds to complete all the projects.

If anyone in Okehampton or the surrounding villages would like to make a contribution, however small, they can phone Anne Underwood on 01837 650910 or email [email protected]">[email protected]