Student-led sustainability comes to fruition in Manchester
Monday 18 March 2024
Parrs Wood High School celebrates latest eco-friendly project nearing completion
A sustainability agenda championed by students has supported a recent decarbonisation project at Manchester-based Parrs Wood High School.
Led by sixth form students, the CO2 sustainability team at the school was established over eight years ago and runs on a voluntary basis, with students and staff giving their personal time to the cause.
The school credits student action through the club for a reduction of more than 630 tonnes of carbon and £200,000 in energy bills each year so far.
We went along to Parrs Wood High School to discuss the impending completion of their latest green project, which received funding under Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The project is anticipated to finish on schedule by 31 March 2024, and focuses on the replacement of end-of-life fossil fuel boilers with air source heat pumps, plus accompanying energy efficiency measures including LED lighting, insulation, building management systems and renewable energy generation via solar pv.
The £1,319,896 works received £1,183,872 in funding through the scheme, with funding delivered by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
During the visit, we met science teacher and coordinator of the student CO2 team Chris Baker, and Eon energy manager Tony Atkin to discuss how student involvement in decarbonisation works helps to embed climate advocacy into future generations.
Chris said: “This is our 10th project with Salix, but it's the first PSDS [Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme] that we've done with them, and, on all the projects, we've always involved students quite heavily.
“You can do an awful lot with students. They can assess the school. For example, with lighting, they can calculate how much energy you'd save if you change to LED lighting.
“It’s a great way for them to apply what they learn in lessons to real world situations, and the kind of practical experience any University or Employer is looking for.”
This is our 10th project with Salix, but it's the first PSDS [Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme] that we've done with them, and, on all the projects, we've always involved students quite heavily.
You can do an awful lot with students. They can assess the school. For example, with lighting, they can calculate how much energy you'd save if you change to LED lighting.
It’s a great way for them to apply what they learn in lessons to real world situations, and the kind of practical experience any University or Employer is looking for.
Watch: Parrs Wood High School science teacher and coordinator of the student CO2 team Chris Baker and Eon energy manager Tony Atkin speak about their Phase 3a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project.
The school also referenced the positive impacts of student involvement in the works, and the flow-on effects this has for the career pathways students choose.
Chris added: “I have students come back and see me now, which are at university, or they've graduated and they're actually working for companies developing solar pv.
“I've got one that's working on very large civil engineering projects as well - a lot in the energy industry, but not exclusively that so it's been a great stepping stone for the students to go on into related industries.”
I have students come back and see me now, which are at university, or they've graduated and they're actually working for companies developing solar pv.
I've got one that's working on very large civil engineering projects as well - a lot in the energy industry, but not exclusively that so it's been a great stepping stone for the students to go on into related industries.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project is expected to save the school a further 212.91 tonnes of carbon and £153,625 on their energy bills annually.
Salix client support officer Ned Jordan said: “The works at Parrs Wood are a great example of how involving students in your sustainability agenda has a positive influence that extends beyond just the single project or piece of work happening at one moment in time.
“We look forward to supporting this project through to completion, and to seeing and hearing more about what they plan to do next.”
Learn more about the sustainability team on the Parrs Wood website.
The works at Parrs Wood are a great example of how involving students in your sustainability agenda has a positive influence that extends beyond just the single project or piece of work happening at one moment in time.
We look forward to supporting this project through to completion, and to seeing and hearing more about what they plan to do next.
