The turbine, funded by ScottishPower's Green Energy Trust, has been up and running since September, and forms part of a thriving Eco-Club at the school which sees its pupil's involved in lots of environmentally-friendly activity.
The pupils have designed an eco-shed which is powered self sufficiently by mini wind turbines and solar panels. The shed has wind-up radios, lights and has even been insulated by material that the pupils decided would be most efficient in heating the small building.
The school takes advantage of its rural setting and encourages the youngsters to get outdoors as much as possible. They look at seasonal food that’s produced in the local area, and ways they can protect the environment around them.
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The small school has excellent existing green credentials and has been awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag.
Alison McKean, Head of Environment at ScottishPower Energy Retail, said: "Pilling St John's School is exactly the kind of project that the ScottishPower Green Energy Trust looks to help with funding.
"The school looks for fun, creative ways to get the pupils excited about environmental matters and it is really working. These lessons will prove invaluable to the pupils and will also inevitably impact the local community."
Environmental issues feature heavily in the curriculum with pupils learning about global warming, and will be embarking on a recycling project next year.
Pauline Tate, Head Teacher at the school, said: "We are a small school, so we make sure that every pupil gets involved in our efforts to be environmentally friendly, and they really love it. They see there is a purpose to the things they do, some of the pupils even write letters and reports on environmental matters they care most about.
"To have support from the ScottishPower Green Energy Trust is just fabulous and it's another indication to the pupils that they are doing great work, and to keep on going."
(GK/JM)
