Government minister meets schoolchildren to discuss climate change and careers

We celebrate the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme with a visit to a school and leisure centre alongside MP

Campaigning schoolchildren tackled climate change issues with government minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh this week.

Children at Acland Burghley School in Camden, London, got to meet the minister on a visit to the school to celebrate their Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project.

The Peckham MP sat down with them for a workshop at the Tufnell Park school putting climate change and careers at the top of the agenda.

Our director of public sector decarbonisation Ian Rodger also joined the visit alongside Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London  for Environment and Energy and Leader of Camden Council Richard Olszewki.

Whilst the children talked climate as well as careers, we were able to discuss the technologies installed as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. We also had a chance to find out more about school vision for the future with headteacher Nicholas John.

Nicholas said: “This project is all about the long-term future of the school, I don’t want to leave behind a building that is not set up for the future and we are determined to do that. We are creating a building that is sustainable and has true educational value for our young people and their families.

“We are a happy school and this environmental project work, adds value.”

We also got a chance to meet team members involved in the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project, including head of school Martha Collins, director of operations Kat Miller, site supervisor Keelie-Meah and sustainability and energy officer at Camden Council Susanna Espino. All key people in driving the decarbonisation works.

Ian added: “It was great that the children had a chance to engage in discussions and debate on issues that they are passionate about and that are hugely important to them with senior politicians.

“Every day at Salix we’re driven to deliver impactful projects for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

“Not only does the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme impact our carbon emissions and help get us to net zero, but it also provides opportunities for schools like Acland Burghley to engage with their pupils, staff and parents, educate them on decarbonisation technology and its impact and help develop the engineers and designers of the future.”

The ambitious Camden Council school received funding under Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. It has been able to install LED Lighting, electronically commutated fans for air handling units (AHUs) and upgrade radiators thanks to the money. They also replaced a boiler with an air source heat pump. Camden Council has been heavily committed to the project as part of its bid to transform school buildings for a net zero future.

Collaboration for success

Miatta Fahnbulleh is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. At Salix we work closely with the Department to deliver energy efficiency schemes.  

This means we work diligently alongside public sector organisations to ensure projects are delivered across school, hospitals, leisure centres museums, libraries and more. We’re building strong relationships every day, committed to supporting government ambitions to reach net zero targets.

Leisure centre vision for the future

After visiting the school, we also stopped by Camden Council's Kentish Town Sports Centre alongside the MP. 

At the leisure centre those involved in the sustainability works, including Alex Harrison, Edmund Chan and Gary Watson were able to explain their vision for the site. 

The popular Grafton Road venue has recently been awarded a grant under Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. It has received £1.85 million which it will spend on replacing old boilers with an air source heat pump, solar PV, a Building Management System, a cooling plant and secondary glazing. 

Overall, the three-year project is expected to cost £2.3 million, starting this year and finishing in August 2027.

Ian said: “It’s been inspiring to visit the school, and also Kentish Town Leisure Centre which has exciting plans under Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, further reducing carbon emissions, creating a healthier environment for the local community.”

We’re still distributing grant offer letters for Phase 4 of the scheme, but for the most recent list of grant recipients see gov.uk

We’re looking forward to working with organisations across the country to deliver the latest round of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. 

Thank you to Camden Council and to those who joined this informative visit to Acland Burghley School and Kentish Town Sports Centre.

Together we can make a difference. At Salix, we’re on a mission to save the planet.

Thank you to the teams at Acland Burghley School and Kentish Town Sports Centre for hosting us and telling your story.