A week of school visits on the solar farm: Inspiring the next generation

This year, Gawcott Fields Community Solar expanded its ‘Net Zero Schools’ program, welcoming just under 300 students from eight local primary schools to learn about solar energy first-hand.

The program, delivered in partnership with Earth Energy Education, combines in-school workshops with a visit to Gawcott Fields Community Solar Farm, which generates over 4 million kWh of renewable electricity annually.

Before setting foot on the farm, students took part in school workshops led by Sarah Leighton from Earth Energy Education. These hands-on sessions gave the students the chance to build circuits and explore how sunlight can be turned into electricity. To keep the learning going, each school also received a “Solar Farm in a Box”, a fantastic kit packed with solar-powered circuits, wildflower seeds, activity guides and more, giving students the tools to continue exploring renewable energy in the classroom.

Two weeks later, across five sunny days each group of students visited Gawcott Fields Farm to see solar power in action. Guided by Harry Barlow (pictured below), the site’s Asset Manager from Communities for Renewables, the children followed the journey of electricity step by step: from the sun’s rays to the site’s 16,000 solar panels, through the inverters and transformers, down into the substation and finally out through the grid all the way into their homes.

Along the way, they got stuck into some big ideas—power, current, voltage—and asked some brilliant questions about how energy works. They talked about fossil fuels and discovered why solar power is not just clever science, but a clean, green way to help the planet.

But the day wasn’t just about energy. Armed with ‘I-Spy’ wildlife guides, the students explored the solar farm’s biodiversity, spotting a wide range of insects, birds and plants thriving on the site. From buzzards and skylarks to green woodpeckers, red kites and yellowhammers, the children discovered that the land beneath and around the panels supports a thriving ecosystem.

Each visit ended with a lively bug-hunting session, where students used bug nets and microscope pots to collect and study insects. It was great to see the children interacting with nature, and they all found it exciting to use the bug nets and microscope pots. Some of the insects discovered included woodlice, beetles, butterflies and spiders. There was a lot of enthusiasm as they proudly named their finds and a surprising lack of squeamishness about the prospect of getting up close and personal with real, living, insects!

As the students walked back to their buses at the end of each visit, there was a buzz of excitement and chatter about what they’d seen. It is massively important for children to have the opportunity to learn outside of a classroom environment. Those that started their visit unenthusiastic ended it excited to show off all the new things they had learned.

“Overall, the most important thing about these school visits is that everyone who takes part finishes their day more knowledgeable of and curious about climate change, renewable energy and the world around them – and the value that stems from that is immeasurable. It’s been such a success and we can’t wait to welcome another group of students back to the solar farm next year!” – Ella Messetter (pictured below), Impact and Communications Manager at Communities for Renewables.

Schools involved in this years visits to Gawcott Fields Community Solar Farm: Thornborough Infant School, St James and St John Church of England Primary School, Buckingham Primary School & Nursery, Roundwood Primary School, Lace Hill Academy, Maids Moreton CofE School, George Grenville Academy, Bourton Meadow Primary School