Newham schools team up with Olympic athlete to save energy

Newham school pupils have teamed up with an Olympic gold medallist to be more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Eastlea School in Canning Town, Park Primary and St Francis RC Primary - both in Stratford - are taking part in Switch Off Fortnight encouraging children to carry out energy audits in their schools and at home with their families, helping them to identify ways to cut their energy use, help the environment and save money.

Katherine Grainger, who won gold at London 2012 in the coxless sculls, is the ambassador of the campaign orchestrated by EDF Energy’s education programme The Pod.

Katherine said: “I’m hoping the hundreds of thousands of children at all the schools taking part in Switch Off Fortnight put in gold medal performances.

“In rowing, conserving energy for the long haul is absolutely vital – and the same is true for how we use energy every day.

“What I’ve seen at just one Pod school is so inspiring. They are working hard as a community to become more sustainable and I’m not surprised that they are a gold medal Pod school.

“This year, children are taking the energy-saving message home and I’m sure will inspire family and friends to get involved.”

Eastlea, Park, and St Francis primaries will join 23 other schools in east London who will be sent free Switch off Fortnight campaign packs which include a tracking chart fun posters, stickers and badges.