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HR, finance, IT and operations

School leaders, business managers, site managers, and governors in Oxfordshire school

8 April 2026

Introducing ACES Support for Oxfordshire Schools

We are Chamberlains Aqua & Energy Systems Ltd. (CAESL) (docx, 603kb), the new delivery partner for Oxfordshire County Council (OCC)’s Action on Carbon & Energy in Schools (ACES) programme.

CAESL is a forward-thinking consultancy specialising in sustainable energy and water systems. Dedicated to helping organisations achieve net zero, CAESL offers services such as audits, renewable system design, and net zero strategy development. Drawing on expertise in both water and energy, the company delivers practical solutions to cut costs, boost efficiency, and improve environmental performance through innovation and collaboration.

As part of the ACES programme, our team is now working directly with schools across the county to provide support in five key areas.

1. Energy Assessments

Many Oxfordshire schools already have an energy or carbon reduction report, but some still do not. We aim to help schools without an assessment begin their journey and understand where the biggest opportunities lie.

Our assessments include:

Analysis of 12 months of energy data
Review of building fabric, heating, ventilation, lighting, and controls
On-site surveys using thermal imaging and power analysers
Identification of cost effective improvements
Clear recommendations with estimated savings (£, kWh, tCO₂e) and payback periods
A full report presented to school leadership and governors

This provides schools with a practical roadmap for reducing energy use and costs.

If your school already has an energy assessment report, we can still support you by helping interpret the findings, prioritise actions, and provide ongoing energy management support based on the report’s recommendations.

2. Energy Management Support

We know most schools do not have a dedicated energy manager, so we’re here to fill that gap.

We offer:

Help interpreting energy data and identifying savings
Monitoring & Verification of installed measures
Guidance on acting on your energy assessment
Template policies for governors and Climate Action Plans

Our aim is to help schools move from “knowing” to doing.

3. Gas AMR (Automated Meter Reading) Roll Out

Many schools have smart electricity meters, but gas AMR coverage remains low.

We will support schools by:

Explaining the benefits of gas AMR
Assessing technical feasibility
Providing guidance
Providing training to use AMR data for monitoring and decision making

Better data = better control = lower bills.

4. Loan Scheme Support (LED, Solar PV, Batteries)

Oxfordshire County Council offers interest free loans for:

LED lighting upgrades
Solar PV installations
Battery storage

These are among the most cost effective measures available.

We support schools through the entire process:

Identifying suitable projects
Assessing feasibility
Helping gather three quotes
Supporting the loan application
Providing advice during installation
Ensuring commissioning certificates, as built drawings, and performance data are collected

We make the process simple and stress free.

5. Climate Adaptation Planning

A number of priority schools will receive tailored support to assess risks from overheating and flooding.

This includes:

Interviews with school staff
Review of building age, construction, and local environment
A clear Climate Adaptation Plan with practical, low cost recommendations

Our goal is to help schools stay safe, comfortable, and future ready.