AN innovative partnership with Okehampton College has won energy giant EDF the top title in the education category at the Business in the Community (BITC) Responsible Business Awards. The award, supported by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, recognises businesses that are building sustainable partnerships with schools in the UK, to raise aspirations of young people and enable them to build successful working lives. EDF Energy's winning entry showed it is cutting energy costs for schools by raising energy efficiency awareness while driving student engagement with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The company worked with Okehampton College to make STEM subjects more attractive to students by introducing energy awareness and sustainability as key topics within the curriculum, making energy use more visible through user-friendly monitors and meters as well as putting signs in place to encourage sensible energy use and recycling. The programme at the college saw 57% of students inform their parents about how to save energy and 34% encourage relatives to implement energy-saving ideas. The school is now close to reducing its energy bills to zero — savings of more than £100,000 — and has reduced CO2 emissions by almost 300 tonnes per year. Thirty percent of students who had no previous interest in STEM subjects said they were now more likely to pursue a science-related career. Darren Towers, EDF Energy's head of sustainability and environmental leadership, said it reflects the passion the company has for putting sustainable and responsible business at the heart of its approach and the example will inspire more to follow its lead.' Okehampton College principal Daryll Chapman said: 'I am very pleased the Business in the Community Awards scheme has recognised the help and support available to schools from the various initiatives run by EDF Energy. We could never have achieved what we have without their considerable assistance.' The award was presented to the company at a ceremony in London in the presence of BITC president HRH the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Commenting on the win, Tulsi Naidu, executive director of UK and Offshore, Prudential UK and Europe, who chaired the judging panel, said: 'Through their partnership with Okehampton College, EDF Energy has really brought its business to life for students.'