Pupils at three Oxfordshire primary schools are set to benefit from brighter, more sustainable classrooms after their schools successfully secured energy efficiency loans from Oxfordshire County Council.
William Fletcher Primary School in Yarnton near Kidlington, St Swithun’s CE Primary School in Kennington, and St Ebbe’s CE Primary School in Oxford have all received interest-free funding through the council’s loan scheme. The initiative is designed to help maintained schools reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs and cut carbon emissions.
The schools were supported through the application process by Action on Carbon and Energy in Schools (ACES), an energy efficiency support service funded by Oxfordshire County Council.
The loan scheme has been running since July 2023 and provides funding for a range of energy-saving improvements, 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 solar PV panels alongside upgraded LED lighting across the site. Headteacher Claire Martin 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, 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 has also benefited, receiving just over £14,500 for a whole-school upgrade to energy-efficient LED lighting.
