GULWORTHY Primary School held an environment day on May 21 to celebrate the launch of its green boiler, powered by locally-sourced wood pellets.

In the winter the

classrooms were chilly as the oil fired boiler struggled to cope with a classroom extension. However, instead of using more fossil fuels to solve the problem, the school has turned to renewable

energy technology and local

suppliers.

All the heating for three classrooms, a staffroom, headteacher's office, medical room and main office can now be generated by a green heating system. The 45kW 'biomass boiler' is fuelled by wood pellets from a sawmill near Cullompton.

The new boiler will generate 60,000kWh of heat and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 16 tonnes each year, reducing the emissions that cause global warming. Live information showing the amount of energy generated and carbon dioxide saved by the boiler will be accessible by the pupils to use in their lessons.

On May 21, the school arranged an environment day for its 74 pupils to launch the project. The children will take part in environmental activities and lessons. The school is believed to be the first in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to heat its classrooms using wood pellets from local suppliers.

Headteacher Melody Nicholls said: "We are really looking forward to having a warm school this winter. The boiler is incredibly effective and will make such a

difference. The school was so cold and this winter was particularly harsh. We want a great environment for

learning — and that includes the temperature. Using renewable energy will help us educate children about sustainability."