SCHOOLCHILDREN have been championing the benefits of new environmentally-friendly technology.Boys and girls at the recently-opened Rendlesham Primary School, near Woodbridge, took county councillors on a tour to explain energy efficient measures taken at the school.

By Richard Smith

SCHOOLCHILDREN have been championing the benefits of new environmentally-friendly technology.

Boys and girls at the recently-opened Rendlesham Primary School, near Woodbridge, took county councillors on a tour to explain energy efficient measures taken at the school.

Honor Turner and Paddy Baxter, both aged 10, told councillors their new school always felt warm due to the use of the wood-fired furnace, which provided heating. They also have solar panels to heat water.

The children undertake tasks in the school grounds to keep them tidy and to recycle any rubbish - and they adopt the environmentally-friendly approach when they are at home.

Honor said: “We have learnt that if you leave a crisp packet on the grass and a bird flies down on to the grass looking for food, it can get stuck inside the crisp packet and can not get it off its head.”

Peter Coy, the site manager, said: “A delivery of five to six tonnes of wood chips lasts us about a month. The school is very well insulated and it does not lose its heat so even at the weekend when the heating is on, it is still fairly warm in there.”

County councillor Graham Manuel said: “It is a huge new way of thinking, about the environment and related matters.

“People of my generation did not talk about this at all so, in terms of the future, it is encouraging and it needs to be supported. I am sure that the children have a lot to teach us.”

The visit was part of a tour by the environment, waste management and economic development committee to examine examples of renewable technology being used in the country and they also visited Lowestoft College and Scroby Sands visitor centre.