Three Oxfordshire schools invest in energy efficient classrooms
Pupils at three Oxfordshire primaries are set to benefit from brighter and more environmentally friendly classrooms after their schools applied successfully for energy efficiency loans from Oxfordshire County Council.
Action on Carbon and Energy in Schools (ACES), an energy efficiency support service funded by Oxfordshire County Council, has been supporting schools with applying for a loan.
William Fletcher Primary School at Yarnton near Kidlington, St Swithun’s CE Primary School in Kennington, and St Ebbe’s CE Primary School in Oxford have each secured interest free funding through the council’s loan scheme.
The scheme has been running since July 2023 to help maintained schools reduce energy use and cut operational costs.
The loans support the installation of a range of energy saving measures including rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage and energy‑efficient LED lighting.
Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said: “This is great news for the environment and for the children who will have an opportunity in their early years to not only experience the benefits of energy efficiency in their classrooms, but also to learn about why reducing carbon emissions is good for the planet.
“There’s more to come too, with eighteen further schools having successfully applied for energy efficiency loans and details of their plans will be released in coming months.”
William Fletcher Primary School has secured around £70,000 to install both solar PV and LED lighting.
Claire Martin, Headteacher at William Fletcher Primary School, said: “We are delighted to have installed solar panels and LED lighting at our school. This is an important step in reducing our environmental impact and shows our commitment to creating a more sustainable future for our pupils and community.
“The project gives our pupils a real life example of how renewable energy works and why sustainability matters. It’s an exciting opportunity to link learning with positive action.”
St Swithun’s CE Primary School has been awarded nearly £60,000 to introduce solar PV, battery storage and LED lighting.
Amanda Giles, School Business Manager at St Swithun’s CE Primary School, said: "By having the solar panels installed we have lowered our carbon footprint and we are meeting our sustainability targets as a school. Our eco council is becoming a great role model by sharing knowledge on the importance of clean energy with fellow students."
St Ebbe’s CE Primary School is also benefiting, having received just over £14,500 for a whole school upgrade to LED lighting.