Schoolchildren in Gloucestershire are ready to protect the planet

We visited two schools to discover what motivates students on their net zero journey and how the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has inspired them.

Children who are at the heart of climate change work at two Gloucestershire primary schools have addressed world leaders on their net zero solutions.

As world leaders gather at COP29, the children from Cranham Church of England Primary School and Ampney Crucis Church of England Primary School are calling on governments across the world to stop delaying giant steps required to tackle carbon emissions.

Thanks to government funding, both schools have just finished heating projects in a bid to slash their carbon footprint - and are urging leaders to get their skates on too.

Their slogan ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’ is at the forefront of their message.

Our chief executive Kevin Holland joined our team on a visit to village primary schools to discover what has inspired the students, governors, Diocese, teachers and community to pull together to address net zero.

Kevin said: “It is wonderful to see what can be achieved by two primary schools in a large Diocese, and to see how the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme can stimulate so much incredible work.

“These schools are surrounded by beautiful countryside where the need to decarbonise and protect our planet is particularly compelling.”

During our visit, we managed to tour the schools and spoke to the children about climate changes issues and why their voices should be heard in the net zero debate.

Both schools have got rid of old oil boilers and replaced them with more energy efficient heat pumps.

Cranham Primary School student and budding explorer Ariel, aged eight, urged global leaders to take note of the children’s voices.

She said: “If you don’t do anything, there might not be anything left. The more we protect our planet, the better the earth will be.”

Fellow Cranham student Cecily said new laws to protect nature would also be a good idea. She added: “You can’t really litter very much because it’s polluting our planet.”

Ampney Crucis Primary School student Xavier, aged 11, says he wants to study zoology at university so he can help protect the natural environment. 

Fellow Ampney Crucis pupil Jasmine said: “What’s really important is to stop burning coals and fossil fuel and all that nasty stuff as it’s very bad for the environment.”

The Diocese of Gloucester was awarded £220k under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to install the new air source heat pumps and internal heating system. The combined total project cost at the schools was £348,566 with the Diocese contributing around £128k.

It is among the first projects to finish under Phase 3c of the scheme which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by our teams at Salix. 

As part of our tour of the classrooms we saw how the practical aspects of removing old radiators and replacing them with wall units had made a difference to the way classrooms can now be used. 

At Cranham, extracting the old internal boilers had even made a whole new room available for storage and learning which was an unexpected ‘win’ for the school.

Also, the old oil tank in the playground was removed, leaving space for a new learning area whilst the heat pump sits in a small space alongside the building.

Senior teacher at Cranham Primary School, Cranham, Laura Hodges, explained that the project had encouraged lively conversation among children about their carbon footprint.

The heat pump was installed at their village school, which has a register of 51 students, during the summer holidays with further works happening over the recent half term. 

Laura said everyone was delighted with the heating system and hoped the green project would set an example for others to follow.

Laura, who has taught at Cranham for 25 years, said: “We didn’t know what to expect when we embarked on our journey, but it has been very straightforward, and we have the support of Salix and our consultants to help us process and finish on time.

“It used to be said, ‘come to Cranham, wear a vest’ but the classrooms are much more comfortable now and we can control the temperatures more easily.

“The children can now concentrate on the job of learning; they are not too hot, and they are not too cold.”

Headteacher at Ampney Crucis Primary School in Cirencester, Tana Wood said she was hugely impressed with how the contractors, school, parents, school governors and children had worked together during their project.

She said that because the project works had happened during the school holidays, there had been no disruption to the children’s learning. However, the staff team as well as governors had all played a part.

The school, which has 92 children on its roll, sits in a conservation area with parts of the school dating back to the 1700s.

Ampney school business manager Heather Chadwick had worked closely with Emma Page from energy consultants, Inspired Efficiency, to ensure everything went to schedule and all stakeholders were engaged.

Tana said: “We are lucky to have Heather and the team here co-ordinating and ensuring everything went to plan.

“Issues came up which we had not planned for, once you remove one thing in an old building, something else needs addressing.”

However, she added that the school was committed to reducing its carbon footprint and setting an example to children and the local community.

She added: “We are a small school with big ideas and climate change is a big part of our discussion here.”

Chair of Governors at Ampney Crucis Howard Beddoe said: “We are delighted to have created a better environment for the children. We are addressing our carbon footprint here and we are learning all the time.”

Ampney Crucis student and aspiring artist and writer Jasmine, aged 10, added: “We are ready to make a difference, we must tell our leaders this is a beautiful place.”

David Williams, principal advisor for buildings, admissions and trusts, Diocese of Gloucester, said: “We have a responsibility to protect our environment and put these buildings in a better position. This is not only for the children today, but it is for the generations to come. This is the right thing to do.

“The children are a big part of these projects, and we are delighted that it has inspired them. They have set an example.

“The voices of our children are an important part of this conversation; they are the voices of the future.”

Our client support officer Ellen Wingrove joined our recent visit and is thrilled that both projects have gone so well.

She said: “There are extremely specific challenges working in schools and both Cranham and Ampney Crucis have progressed their journey so efficiently and with a huge amount of energy and passion.

“I can see that the students and teachers are committed to their net zero journey, and I hope that our global leaders listen closely to the children’s messages.”

Salix has worked closely with the school to help steer the project whilst the Diocese has also been supported by consultants Inspired Efficiency and SK Heating and Cooling Ltd and Envira-Mech Services Ltd. 

Thank you to Cranham Church of England Primary School and Ampney Crucis Church of England Primary School for hosting our visit. Thank you also to David Williams and Hannah Leckebusch from the Diocese of Gloucester for joining.