Monk Fryston Church of England Primary School
Key information
Scheme:
Phase 3a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Technologies used:
Ground source heat pump, LED lighting
Region:
Yorkshire and Humber
Client type:
Multi academy trust
Thursday 20 July 2023
Leeds primary schoolchildren are inspiring their community
A Leeds primary school that has pledged to become net zero by 2030 is inspiring the community to take action in the pivotal ‘climate decade’.
In 2019, Monk Fryston Church of England Primary School formed a project with other community buildings in the village to achieve carbon neutrality.
To take action, the school researched which sustainable technologies would enable it to effectively reach this goal.
The feasibility studies revealed that it needed a system that would serve both the underfloor heating and radiators while also providing hot water on demand. It was key that the new system was more energy efficient and therefore reduce the amount of energy lost.
Using its delegated budget, the school was able to upgrade heating controls to a new computerised system to ensure that the heating was working efficiently.
Pupils were enthusiastic to get involved and used thermal imaging cameras to identify areas that were affected by heat loss, resulting in the replacement of a few windows and doors.
However, the school needed funding to complete its net zero plan. After successfully securing a grant of £170,920 from Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, it was able to set to work on installing a ground source heat pump as the preferred heating and hot water solution.
Heat pumps involve heat transfer rather than the burning of fossil fuels. By replacing its gas boilers with a ground source heat pump the school eliminated the carbon dioxide that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere.
The school also upgraded its lightning to LED to increase efficiency and reduce electricity usage.
This project has resulted in annual carbon savings of 15 tonnes in addition to significant financial savings.
Alongside these important savings, this project has left an impact on the pupils and community in Monk Fryston. Pupils are thrilled with the new system as they feel that they are leading the way in the environmental work taking place across the education sector.
Teachers have witnessed children discussing the solution with their families, with many coming to observe the installation work in progress. This has helped them to consider sustainable options in their own homes.
I am absolutely thrilled with what our school has been able to achieve. We are committed to becoming net zero because our children tell us that this is important to them, and we have moved significantly closer to that aspiration through the work we have undertaken.
Top Tip
Rick Wights said: "It is important to take a whole building approach so that thinking is joined up. Schemes and systems cannot work effectively in isolation and need to be considered as a complete project. Administering the project takes significant work, and this needs to be considered carefully at the stage of application."
