BRIGHT sparks at schools across Oxfordshire are switching on to greener ways of living as part of a sustainable energy campaign.

Pupils around the county have been looking at ways of energy saving in schools in a bid to be more environmentally aware.

The campaign is running this week, but for many schools their efforts stretch beyond that.

At New Marston Primary School, in Copse Lane, Oxford, youngsters on the school's 'eco council' have taken on roles as 'energy spies', checking classrooms to see whether lights have been left on or doors open.

Teacher Helen Bennett, eco-school co-ordinator, said it was a brilliant way for children to learn the importance of energy saving both at school and at home.

She said: "A school like ours is big and energy goes straight out through the windows.

"Our energy spies have red and green cards which they leave in classrooms. Green cards are left if pupils find lights switched off and doors closed while red cards are given out if lights are left on and doors are open.

"We regularly tally them up and see which class is the greenest.

"It has really made the children aware that they can do something to help the environment, what with global warming being such an issue. They realise that every little helps."

She said the eco council, which consists of 12 elected pupils, met once a week.

"We read the school's meters regularly to check the energy we are using and also run competitions," she added.

New Marston is just one of 16 schools involved in the sustainable energy campaign.

Milton CofE School, near Didcot, is also involved and recently had skylights fitted in some classrooms, which teachers say has improved both their own and pupils' concentration levels now they are using natural light.

Energy consultants Atkins, who are working with Oxfordshire County Council on the school energy project, said they had found from visits to classrooms that sometimes lights were on needlessly because blinds were drawn, while it was light and bright outside.

Roger Belson, the county council's cabinet member for sustainable development, said: "It is excellent that these schools are taking part in the campaign and working to reduce their energy consumption."

Other schools taking part include St Barnabas, Oxford, and West Oxford primaries, Millbrook in Wantage and South Moreton.