Switch Off! East Point Academy Pupil Places 2nd in Utility Aid’s Eco-friendly Art Competition

On the 29th of March, Bella Leonard from East Point Academy was informed of the exciting news that her eco-awareness artwork had won 2nd place in Utility Aid’s art competition.

Utility Aid aims to educate students on becoming more aware of the energy they’re using with the goal of improving energy efficiency in schools and homes. This is very close to Inspiration Trust’s heart, as the Trust has pledged to reduce its energy consumption by 20%, putting into place a number of initiatives within its school to ensure this happens.

East Point Academy was delighted to receive over 50 entries for the competition before being shortlisted by Principal, Mrs Austin and Energy Champion Ms Craven-Lamb before the overall winners were selected by the Commercial Director at Utility Aid. Bella was thrilled to hear of her win with Bernadette Fowler, Schools Project Manager at Utility Aid visiting the school just before the Easter break to present Bella with her well-deserved prizes - a £50 voucher and some chocolates! 

Demelza Craven-Lamb, Energy Champion and English Teacher at East Point Academy said:

“We are so proud of Bella’s achievement in the competition and her poster design. We were overwhelmed with amazing contributions from East Point pupils and it was incredibly tough to choose an overall winner from the school. Bella’s poster gave a strong message and we felt it would really resonate with others, our plan is to place her poster around the school to hopefully influence others to switch off lights and appliances.”

As part of Inspiration Trust’s wider goal of reducing energy for a better planet, East Point Academy is currently working towards achieving an Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation The Eco-committee meets every Friday to action schemes and strategies that benefit the environment and the local community. The school is proud to say there are already plans in place for litter picking and they hope to introduce more green spaces across the site which the Eco-committee is essential in championing for the academy.

Bernadette Fowler, School Project Manager at Utility Aid, had the pleasure of presenting the prizes and said how impressed she was with the artwork created, but:

“ Even more impressed with the tangible passion and determination of the students I met to make a real difference…they are our future after all, and it certainly is in good hands”.

There are plans to have Bella’s poster displayed around the school to encourage pupils and staff to switch off appliances and lights in an effort to save energy and the environment.