Member Article

Charging Ahead at Alder Grange

Alder Grange has become the first school in Lancashire to install an electric car charging point.

The Rawtenstall school, which has a rolling programme of energy-saving schemes, is also the first in Rossendale to embrace the green technology.

Headteacher David Hampson said: “We are making efforts to reduce our carbon footprint in school and our new building has lots of environmental features utilising green technology – such as green roofs, solar heating and grey water recycling.

“Anything we can do to help the environment is embraced at the school.”

Stephen Hodges, sales manager at Yesss Electrical in Burnley, whose team provided the car charging point, said: “Alder Grange is the first school in Lancashire to have a charging point installed.

“There is a growing demand for them nationwide, but this is also the first charging point in Rossendale.

“It’s fantastic seeing Alder Grange taking advantage of the government grant and it will benefit staff and visitors.”

The charger takes 4-8 hours to fully charge a car, operated by tokens – available from the school.

In the last few years, the school, on Calder Road, has reduced its energy rating from 110 to 88 - 12 points lower than the average of a building its size - and has a class D energy certification.

Micheal Searle, school operations manager (buildings and facilities), said: “We are aiming to reduce our rating to a class C.

“We are replacing florescent lights with LEDs, classrooms are being fitted with light sensors which only operate when there’s movement, and we are looking at a computerised heating system.

“Not only do these changes help to reduce our carbon footprint, they also save the school money on energy bills and these additional funds can be redirected straight back into providing the best education for our students.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lisa Woodhouse .