FIVE schools in Warrington have been awarded more than £5million to help them reduce their impact on the environment.
The academies – all part of The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) – will see significant changes over the next year as the money is invested in helping decarbonise the buildings.
Andy Moorcroft, CEO of the Trust, said “One of our key strategic aims is to achieve net zero across our academies and do what we can to mitigate our impact on climate change.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this funding from SALIX which really moves our plans forward.”
Under the latest round of the Public Sector Decarbonisation scheme, initiated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by SALIX, the trust has been awarded a £5,088,719 grant.
TCAT will be investing a further £1,472,529 of its capital funding into the project.
This will support the decarbonisation of Broomfields Junior School, Meadowside Primary School, Bridgewater High School (Lower School), Padgate Academy and Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.
Ground source heat pumps and both cavity wall and roof insulation will be installed on all sites. The project will reduce emissions by up to 40 per cent.
The Trust’s academies have also been awarded school capital funding worth £349,105 by the Department for Education and this, along with further capital spend by the trust, will pay for LED lighting to be installed across all 10 academies.
Modern energy monitoring systems will also be installed in all academies to help pupils, students and staff change their habits and do the basics of switching off lights, PCs and any other appliances when not in use.
“This project will reduce our carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent, a really significant achievement,” said Mr Moorcroft.
“We know this will mean some disruption for our academies over the next 12 months as the work gets underway, but the end goal is definitely worth it.”
Salix Director of Programmes Ian Rodger said: “We look forward to working with The Challenge Academy Trust in this journey of decarbonisation. This project will help cut carbon emissions and will help make these schools more energy efficient.
“As well as cutting carbon emissions, it means that ultimately the schools will become more pleasant and comfortable places for both students and staff to work.
“Congratulations to the Trust on its successful Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme bid for funding.”
