Air source heat pumps create greener future for Surrey school students

• £600,000 investment at St Bede’s School in Redhill is replacing ageing fossil-fuel heating systems with air source heat pumps and electric heating.
• The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is helping the Surrey school reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a lower-carbon future.
• New low-carbon heating technology will support a more comfortable, reliable and sustainable learning environment for almost 2,000 students.
• The project is modernising the school’s heating infrastructure while helping decarbonise its buildings, reduce emissions and create a more sustainable school estate.

£600,000 investment replaces ageing fossil-fuel heating and helps provide a more comfortable, sustainable learning environment at the St Bede’s School in Redhill

A visit to St Bede’s School in Redhill has showcased how a £600,000 investment is helping transform its heating systems, creating a more sustainable and comfortable environment for almost 2,000 students.

During a team visit we met the people delivering the major programme of work to replace ageing fossil-fuel heating systems and we were able to see first-hand the new technologies being introduced on the site.

The project, funded through Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by our teams, represents a £600,000 investment in St Bede’s. It will help the school move towards a lower-carbon future while improving the infrastructure supporting its classrooms.

For the school students, the benefits are about more than new heating technology. The project is helping create a school environment that is fit for the future, providing the right conditions for young people to learn, thrive and achieve.

Team members Robert Throssell, Marcus Tang and Matthew Everett met Paul Forrest, buildings and capital programmes manager for Southwark Diocese Board of Education, at the school to find out more about the vision for the school.

Creating a better environment for learning

St Bede’s serves students aged 11 to 18 from Redhill, Reigate, Caterham, Horley and the surrounding areas.

Its five core values - belonging, education, determination, excellence and service - underpin its ambition to help every child reach their potential. During our visit we learnt how a comfortable, well maintained and sustainable school environment is an important part of that ambition.

The project is replacing end-of-life fossil-fuel heating systems serving the arts block.  All buildings within the school were assessed as part of the school’s heat decarbonisation plan, developed in 2022/23, to identify the best way to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions. The existing heating is being replaced with air source heat pumps and point-of-use electric heaters.

Paul Forrest from the Southwark Diocese Board of Education said: “This investment is about more than replacing ageing heating systems. It is about creating an environment where our students can learn, thrive and feel comfortable, while also making sure our school is prepared for a more sustainable future.”

Seeing the transformation first-hand

The new technology is being introduced as part of a wider plan to modernise the school’s heating infrastructure and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

For St Bede’s, the project provides an opportunity to address ageing infrastructure while making a long-term investment in the school estate.

It also means the school can act now to reduce emissions, rather than waiting for its existing heating systems to fail.

Robert Throssell was delighted with the opportunity to visit the school and see the technology.

He said: “It has been fantastic to see the project progressing on site. The funding has enabled St Bede’s to tackle its ageing heating infrastructure while introducing lower-carbon technology that will support the school for years to come.”

Putting students at the heart of the project

For students, a modern and reliable heating system means having classrooms that are better equipped to provide a comfortable learning environment, while the school’s move towards lower-carbon technology gives young people the opportunity to see sustainability being put into practice around them.

Robert added: “Having a comfortable learning environment and knowing that the school is also reducing its impact on the environment is very important to us and it’s great to meet the people who are driving this project.”

Looking to the future

As our team walked around the school and saw the technologies being introduced, it was clear that the project is about creating lasting change.

The replacement of end-of-life fossil-fuel heating systems is an important investment in the school’s future, helping St Bede’s become more sustainable while continuing to provide an environment where students can learn and thrive.

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is helping St Bede’s tackle the practical challenge of decarbonising its buildings and setting the building – and the children up for the future.

Thank you to St Bede’s for hosting our team and we’re delighted to support your practical journey to a more sustainable future.