Students and staff at City of Norwich School, an academy sponsored by Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), are celebrating after reaching the top spot in an energy saving competition.

The competition was a joint venture by Ginger Energy and Zeco Energy, working in partnership with OAT, to help identify where energy saving opportunities might exist in the 31 academies across the OAT network.

The schools were set a target of reducing gas and electricity consumption by 10% over a 12 month period and, although significant reductions were made by all academies, City of Norwich School excelled in their efforts, reducing their energy consumption by an outstanding 41%.

The academy was able to reduce its consumption so dramatically through not only monitoring their energy usage more effectively, but also making effective use of biomass.

The first place prize for the hard work of everyone at the school is a trip for 30 students who attend key stage 3 science clubs, including Lab Rats; Farm Club; and the Lego Robotics Group; to the Green Britain Centre in Swaffham in July, where students will get the opportunity to take a guided tour and experience wind energy from the heart of a modern windmill.

This competition organised by OAT is part of the Trust’s wider commitment to helping to develop a sense of social responsibility amongst young people in all of its academies.

Jim Nixon, Headteacher of City of Norwich School, said:

“This is an excellent result for our academy and I’m really proud of the hard work of everyone to achieve this.

“These measures not only save a substantial amount of money but actually demonstrate how schools up and down the country can make a significant reduction in their carbon footprint. Well done to everyone involved.”

Jon Kent, CEO of Zeco Energy, said:

“This is an amazing result for the academy, making them savings of almost £15,000.”

Chris Felgate, Director of Ginger Energy, added:

“With budgets under pressure for schools, that’s a huge amount that can be reinvested in other areas of the academy. Well done City of Norwich School!”