All Saints Church of England Academy in Denstone, United Kingdom (UK) has taken a big step towards becoming carbon neutral, following the decommissioning of its oil-fired boiler and the installation of a new air source heat pump in autumn 2021.
Its oil-fired boiler system has been in place for more than two decades, since the building was commissioned in 1999, and was reaching its end of life, with adverse environmental and budgetary impacts.
New system ensures the building is energy efficient
Its building energy management system and heating control valves will be also be upgraded
The new system ensures the building is warm and energy efficient, thereby providing an environment that supports quality teaching and learning.
Its building energy management system and heating control valves will be also be upgraded, in a move which will see the trust significantly improve its energy efficiency and reduce its annual carbon footprint, by more than 21 tons.
Funds for heat decarbonization projects
The school was awarded £ 96,880 through Staffordshire University Academies Trust, which received the money through the Public Sector Decarbonization Scheme (PSDS), which supports heat decarbonization projects within the public sector. The scheme is funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by Salix Finance, which improves energy efficiency in the public sector.
Jo Goodwin, the Office Manager at All Saints Church of England Academy, described how proud the academy is in becoming one of the first schools in the trust, to lead the way in reducing its carbon footprint.
Reducing the school's carbon footprint
The All Saints Church of England Academy has actively involved its pupils in environmental issues. As part of the school’s curriculum, the children have been learning about climate change and last year, in order to mark COP26, the students learned about the positive changes that they could make, in order to support a healthier planet.
Key stage 2 children made a pledge of the changes they are committed to, with examples including walking more, switching lights and electrical items off, planting and growing more. They also wrote letters to Greg Hands, the UK Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, about their pledges, the new boiler and heating program, and the school’s anticipated improved energy rating.
School’s staff encouraged to be more sustainable
The All Saints Church of England Academy runs an eco-club, where pupils look after the pond, observe wildlife
The All Saints Church of England Academy runs an eco-club, where pupils look after the pond, observe wildlife and learn how to grow and cook their own vegetables. The school’s staff is also encouraged to be more sustainable.
Charles Pegg, the Program Manager at Salix Finance, said “It’s been a pleasure working with All Saints Academy. Not only has the staff been heavily invested in the carbon savings of the project, but the pupils have been too – in their learning, in their pledges and in their actions.”
The trust consists of 20 academies, including 19 primary schools and one secondary school, serving more than 4,000 pupils.
Energy sustainable heating system
Hope Kirkham, the Operations Manager at Staffordshire University Academies Trust, said “We are incredibly pleased with the successful application to the decarbonization scheme. The grant has enabled us to upgrade All Saints heating system to an energy sustainable solution.
Hope Kirkham adds, “The new system has enhanced the teaching and learning environment in school, and is much more in-keeping with the Academy’s sustainability initiatives.”
