Get voting for Leeds school's bright idea

Iveson Primary School, in North Leeds, aims to be the first school in Yorkshire to have smart lighting installed in its classrooms.

The school on Iveson Drive has been shortlisted for the M&S Energy Fund but must now secure the most votes to obtain the £12,000 grant.

It plans to install Schoolvision, a revolutionary new technology that works by changing the light-setting to affect mood and behaviour of children thereby enhancing performance in the classroom.

The lighting system has been trialled in a handful of schools world-wide and has yielded positive results, including improved concentration and reading.

But only the group who wins first place with the most votes receives funding. All the children and staff have been encouraging friends and family to vote but now it needs votes from the public to have any chance of winning the grant.

Headteacher Hayley Marshall said: “The school is committed to enhancing the learning experience for all its pupils and recognises the importance of environment to this. We are enthusiastic as to how we can use new technology to enhance education at Iveson Primary School.”

The lighting system works on four different settings and can be changed to suit learning in the classroom by altering the level of white light. The settings include ‘Focus’, which helps children concentrate during challenging tasks, and ‘Calm’, which helps with quiet time or individual work.

To support the school please go to www.mandsenergyfund.com/projects/iveson-primary-school.