CHILDREN at a Harpenden school took the lead in saving energy during a 'no electricity' day.

Every class at Grove Junior School is spending today learning more about sustainability and how to save the planet by reducing their energy consumption.

The school has plunged into darkness as well as no computers, interactive whiteboards, photocopiers, printers, lighting or heating is being used.

Headteacher Pippa Bremner said meter readings will be taken today and compared to another when electricity is used in a bid to highlight how much energy they saved.

She added: “The classrooms will be lighting candles today and many of the children and staff have had a bath in the dark and not blow-dried their hair today to kick-start our no electricity day.

“I think if schools are brave they can show through learning and education how the children can contribute to everyday issues such as saving energy.” Before the half term break the children and their class teachers at the Dark Lane school discussed the day and came up with suggestions for what they could teach.

In one science class, eight-year-olds Henry and Thomas told how they carried out an experiment to see how long a candle would burn for while floating in fluid and covered by a glass jar.

Thomas said: “I've really enjoyed the experiment because we had to make a guess and then find out how long the candle would burn for before it went out. On our first guess we said it would burn for 30 seconds and it went out in 17.”

Each year group had the task of putting together a poem on how they could save energy and the impact it would have in the environment.

Year three teacher Claire Reaney said: “We will be using different methods to raise awareness of the environment and sustainability and throughout the day we can hopefully teach the children a lot about reducing their energy consumption.

“There has already been a real buzz in the classroom, everyone is really enjoying it.”

The school will be served soup, which is warmed up on a gas cooker, and bread for lunch.

Staff have brought flasks of tea in for the day and children have been given the challenge to continue the saving energy theme at home.

The school is working towards gaining its Eco Schools Green Flag and Mrs Reaney said the success of today could help them jump straight to the bronze award.