Warmer classrooms, lower energy bills and a greener future for Nottinghamshire pupils

A £200k grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is helping Pierrepont Gamston Primary School create warmer, more comfortable learning spaces, reduce carbon emissions and improve long-term energy efficiency

Children at Pierrepont Gamston Primary School in Nottinghamshire are benefiting from warmer, more comfortable learning spaces thanks to a £200,000 government grant supporting the move to cleaner, more energy-efficient heating.

During a recent visit to the school, we joined project manager, Matthew Manders, Miller Freeman & Sons Nottingham Ltd. director, Jim Shaw, school business manager, Michelle Slack and Nottinghamshire County Council energy management officer, Nick Stendall to see how the funding is making a difference in modernising the school’s heating system while supporting a more sustainable future for pupils and the wider community.

The project has been delivered by Nottinghamshire County Council through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by our teams at Salix. The £200,000 grant was allocated specifically to Pierrepont Gamston Primary School, contributing towards a total project cost of £551,056.

The improvements include the installation of heat pumps, new radiators, upgraded pipework and a building management system (BMS), helping the school move away from fossil-fuel heating towards a lower-carbon alternative.

For pupils, the changes are about more than energy efficiency. A comfortable classroom environment helps children concentrate, learn and take part in lessons, while improved heating in the school hall provides a more welcoming space for assemblies, activities and events.

Salix client relationship advisor Anna Kuratnikova said: “There have been so many parts to this project, and every decision has been made with the children in mind.

“The children need to be in an environment where they can focus on learning and the project has succeeded.”

The project has also included underfloor heating in the school hall, designed with the needs of younger children in mind. During the site visit, the project team explained how the system was designed to provide effective warmth at a lower level, helping to improve comfort for the school’s youngest pupils.

Anna added: “It was fascinating to hear Matthew talking about the fact that the design of underfloor heating took into consideration that the hall is predominantly used by small children whose height means that there is the need to heat lower parts of the hall first.

“This is something that could be so easily overlooked but it makes complete sense!”

Reducing energy consumption is also expected to help lower the school’s long-term energy bills. By spending less on heating, the school could have more of its budget available for frontline education, learning resources and other priorities that directly benefit children.

The visit also highlighted the thought and collaboration behind the project. The team worked closely with the school business manager Michelle Slack and other stakeholders to understand the school’s day-to-day needs and develop a practical solution suited to the building.

Project manager Matthew Manders said: “One particular challenge was managing noise from the heat pumps, given the school site’s layout and the potential impact on neighbours, including people using hearing devices. 

“A specially designed enclosure was introduced to minimise operational noise while allowing the equipment to work effectively.”

In a thoughtful finishing touch, the enclosure incorporates the school’s mascot, making the installation a more attractive feature for pupils, staff and parents.

The project forms part of a wider commitment to reducing carbon emissions across Nottinghamshire’s public buildings. Nottinghamshire County Council has benefitted from funding delivered through Salix for previous energy saving measures, operating a £1.5 million revolving fund for more than 10 years and receiving over £14 million of funding to convert the county’s street lights to LED.

The visit to Pierrepont Gamston Primary School offered a valuable opportunity to see how government funding is being translated into practical improvements on the ground - bringing together better learning environments for children and the potential for lower running costs.

Thank you to Nottinghamshire County Council and the school team for hosting the visit.