Things are looking green for pupils at Torbay primary school thanks to investment in heating and hot water system

School energy bill set for reduction as leaders aim to reduce carbon emissions

Pupils at one of Torbay's biggest primary schools will be part of a greener future thanks to a major upgrade to the heating and hot water system and supported by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

The project at Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay will see end-of-life gas boilers replaced with air source heat pump systems.

This will provide heating and hot water and result in savings on the school energy bill as well as cutting carbon emissions.

The decarbonisation scheme is being part-funded by a grant of £311,600 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by our teams at Salix. The rest comes from Torbay Council's capital investment programme.

Cristy Nelson, Sherwell Valley Primary School's headteacher, said: “We talk a lot about sustainability with our children, so it’s fantastic to see that put into action with this upgrade. 

“Moving away from gas and switching to heat pumps lets us lead by example by cutting our carbon emissions. 

“It’s a brilliant, real-world example for the pupils of how we can all help look after our environment and build a greener future.”

Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation at Salix Ian Rodger added: “Decarbonisation is no longer an ambition for the future, it is an urgent responsibility of the present. 

“We’re delighted to work with Torbay Council and the school, to deliver funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The council is taking a decisive step towards a cleaner, more resilient future.”

How it’s cutting emissions

Sherwell Valley Primary in Torquay has up to 630 pupils aged from two to 11 and is one of the largest maintained primary schools in Torbay.

Installing the heat pump systems is forecast to save an estimated 32 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Alongside the heat pump works, the council is carrying out two further projects this summer to improve energy efficiency at the school:

• Fitting solar panels to generate electricity which can be used by the heat pumps, further reducing energy bills 
• Upgrading windows to triple glazing at the front of the school to reduce heat loss.

It is estimated that the change to heat pumps alone will save around £2,000 a year at current energy rates.

Deputy leader of Torbay Council Chris Lewis, said: “It is great to see this scheme come forward to deliver a much better learning environment for the pupils at Sherwell Valley, cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. 

"The projects we are delivering under our Climate Change Action Plan like this one are resulting in real improvements to the lives of local people as we work with partners to help create a more sustainable future.”

Torbay Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Nick Bye, said: “I’m pleased to see this scheme is due to start during the summer and would like to thank everyone who has helped to make it happen.” 

Ian Rodger added: “These upgrades at a popular local school are more than energy efficiency measures; they are a commitment to safeguarding a vital local school, reducing carbon emissions at scale, and ensuring that a school communities rely on today remain sustainable for the generations to come. Climate change is not waiting, and neither are we.”

The work is due to take place over the summer holidays to avoid disruption to learning.

The heat pump installation will be carried out by South Devon-based contractor Murch and Baker.

The project is a major part of Torbay Council’s work to cut carbon dioxide emissions from its buildings as part of its Carbon Neutral Action Plan. 

This sets out how the council is reducing carbon dioxide output as it works towards being carbon neutral by 2030.

Work at Sherwell Valley is scheduled to start on-site at the end of July and be finished by early September in time for the school to reopen.