CHILDREN at a primary school in Worcester have been prowling the corridors and classrooms keeping a close eye on computers and light switches.

A group of pupils at St George’s Catholic Primary School have been conducting surveys on appliances left switched on during breaks and lunchtimes throughout the week.

The aim of the survey, inspired by the Switch it Off campaign, is to see where and how the school, based in Thorneloe Walk, Barbourne, can save both energy and money.

Office manager and eco-school’s co-ordinator Sue Hicks said: “Last week, the children did a secret tour of the school monitoring what was left on.

“We then took a meter reading at the very beginning of the week and the children have been going around doing their survey. We will then see how much we have saved by switching things off at the end of the week.” Mrs Hicks said even though the school took part in Switch it Off last year the children have embraced the project. “They all did different surveys at home so they can see how they can save money there as well,” she said. “We do quite a lot within the school on looking after the environment so the children are aware of the issues.

“The children have made little plaques to put above our light switches to remind people as they leave a room to switch them off. They’ve also done little posters which have been put up around the school.”

Mrs Hicks said the results of the energy monitoring programme would be used as part of a portfolio the school is putting together in a bid to win another prestigious Green Flag award after winning its first one in September last year.

“It’s a national award that shows the school is looking at the environment,” she said. “There are seven different areas to look at such as recycling, water, healthy living and we have to put a portfolio together based on them. The Switch it Off campaign fits in with that because it is energy saving.”