Pupils at a Haverfordwest school will be taking a hands on approach to environmental and sustainability education this year.

Mary Immaculate School has been granted planning permission for a 15-metre six-kilowatt wind turbine on site, which will help reduce electricity costs and provide a chance for pupils to learn more about renewable energy first hand.

The site of the turbine, below the school’s hardstanding football pitch, will also be developed into an ecological site with a willow garden, pond and vegetable patch.

Headteacher, Pat Mansfield said: “We are heading towards a silver award (given by Pembrokeshire County Council for sustainability and environmental awareness) and the turbine will also facilitate science lessons.

“In addition it will help us reduce the costs to the school for fuel which is not an insignificant consideration. It is one part of a push towards sustainability and green issues.”

School governor Mike Evans started the project and is delighted to see the plans moving forward. It is hoped that the turbine will be up and running before the summer holidays.

“It is a six-kilowatt wind turbine, which doesn’t sound very big but it will do two things. One, it will reduce our bill marginally and two, it will educate the children.

“The main thing is the education of the next generation and the benefit to the environment,” added Mr Evans.

The school received a grant from the Carbon Trust towards the £37,000 turbine cost and hope to raise the rest through local businesses.

Chairman of the school council, year six pupil Joshua Morris, said that the turbine would help everybody learn about the environment.