College could lose £27k eco grant

The college's Eco-Team was awarded the grant to help towards paying for a wind turbine, costing 29,000, and solar panels, costing 26,000, on the condition it could match the total.

The college wrote to EON and EDF Energy to ask if they could help under eco schemes run by both companies - without success.

Science teacher Jenny Pitman, who has been guiding the Eco-Team, said: "We approached the energy companies we get our energy from and applied to EDF and EON for the 50 per cent and they both turned us down.

"The students decided they wanted to reapply and they normally do not let you reapply.

"But we got a whole school petition and sent it off and EDF has kindly let us reapply."

Claverham will find out if it has been successful in its second attempt to secure an EDF grant at the beginning of June - less than a month before the government deadline.

The college is still waiting for a response from EON.

Ms Pitman said: "We will lose the 50 per cent from the government on June 28 and we will have to reapply for that pot of money again and try again to find someone to sponsor us.

"Greg Barker has kindly offered to write to the chief executive of EON for us and ask them to reconsider and let us reapply."

Ms Pitman says it is not realistic for the school to raise the 27,500 itself in a year.

She said: "For a school to find that in a year is quite impossible.

"That's a lot of cake sales and sponsored walks."

Staff and pupils at Claverham, a registered Eco-School, have already gone to great lengths to make the 1950s building more energy efficient, insulating buildings, installing a voltage reducer, initiating schemes to ensure computers and lights are turned off and organising a Green Day to raise money and awareness.

With 1100 pupils and an additional 2500 people involved in the life of the college either through adult evening classes or affiliated societies, the benefits of the funding would be felt throughout the community.

Claverham's Eco-Team made a presentation on their work to MP Greg Barker when he visited the college last week.

Mr Barker said: "We are very lucky to have such forward looking and thoughtful children at Claverham.

"I was really impressed with their grasp of green issues and will be taking up their concerns.

"These young voters of tomorrow really understand the big challenges we will be facing in the years ahead."