Copthall School has introduced new energy efficiency plans after taking free advice offered by the Carbon Trust.

A survey the trust carried out found that the school, in Pursley Road, Mill Hill, could cut its carbon emissions by 90 tonnes, saving £36,000 over three years.

Copthall is one of the first schools in north London to take advantage of the service, along with Woodhouse College in Finchley, and has appointed student monitors to ensure that lighting and classroom equipment is turned off when not in use.

Other improvements the school hopes to make include better heating controls in prefabricated classrooms, insulation in the main building's cavity wall, and automatic timers on lighting.

Head teacher Jane Beaumont said: "It's been a really good way to involve the students in thinking about how to reduce their impact on the environment"

The Carbon Trust estimates that schools and further education colleges across England could save up to 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year - equivalent to the entire annual emissions for the city of Durham.

For more information, call the Carbon Trust advice line on 0800 917 3030 or visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/schools