Kids splash out on net zero goals
We visit primary school in the heart of London’s Docklands to discover how the team is breathing new life into their swimming pool area
Excited children are making ‘net zero’ waves at their Isle of Dogs school thanks to government funding.
Students and staff at St Luke’s Primary School are celebrating a green project at their swimming pool which means the area is now more energy efficiency and climate friendly.
They have installed air source heat pumps with the help of £567k funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme as well as money from the London Diocesan Board for Schools. The total project cost was £655k.
The project in the detached pool building, has kept alive the learner swimming pool which had been forced to close last year after the heating systems broke down leaving the pool building too cold to use.
The school faced losing this vital community resource which has been used for years by St Luke’s children as well as students from other local schools and swim groups.
Deputy headteacher Jessica Tough has taught at St Luke’s for 18 years and has seen the huge difference the pool has made to the lives of thousands of students.
She said: “Every child in key stage one learns to swim in our pool, it helps build their confidence and gives them a skill for life.
“The new heating system means we never have to cancel swimming lessons, before we had the new heat pumps lessons were cancelled regularly which was disruptive for the children.
“It is unthinkable to think this may have closed, many children here simply would never learn to swim.”
It is unthinkable to think this may have closed, many children here simply would never learn to swim.
Our Salix team went along this week to discover how the new energy efficiency measures are having an impact at the school with a slogan, ‘Hearts overflowing with truth and love’.
School premises manager Bob Nolan, who has worked at St Luke’s for 19 years is delighted with the new pumps and energy system. It’s his job to ensure the building functions like clockwork.
Before it was installed, he spent much of his time working out how to fix an aging system as well as communicating disappointing swim lesson cancellations.
He said: “It’s amazing, the new system is smooth, quiet and it means the swimming pool building it comfortable to use. No more cancelling lessons or freezing in the changing rooms. The children can enjoy their lessons.”
Swim teacher Shamah Khan added: “The children have greeted with work with great joy, they love their swimming lessons. They learn how to be safe, independent and how to enjoy the water. It’s about so much more than learning to swim.”
The children have greeted with work with great joy, they love their swimming lessons. They learn how to be safe, independent and how to enjoy the water. It’s about so much more than learning to swim.
School surveyor Julian Davies said it was important to emphasise the impact the project would have on the environment.
It is expected it will make annual carbon savings of 68.27 tonnes.
He said: “These projects are complex and challenging for a number of reasons, but ultimately, we need to keep emphasising this is about saving the planet and looking to the future.
“It is also important to us to set an example to their children and to the community around us to help us meet important net zero goals.”
The scheme, funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by our teams at Salix, has meant the school in Docklands heartlands has also installed heat emitters, including a sustainable ventilation duct, roof insulation as well as window replacements and LED lighting.
Our Salix delivery team members Daniel Lenton and Ellen Wingrove couldn’t wait to visit the site to see the impact the technology is already making on the school which has a register of around 400 children.
The project was completed in November 2024, so its impact will be carefully monitored over time. It is a Phase 3b Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project.
Client support officer at Salix Ellen Wingrove said: “It’s always refreshing to visit a site after so many months of hard work.
“We work very closely with all our clients at Salix, supporting them on their journey of decarbonisation but there is nothing quite like seeing the results and understanding that these projects are about so much more than just the technologies.
“Like all our projects, this is about so much more than the building, it’s about the people who use it. I hope the community will see all of those benefits.”
Daniel said: “It’s a huge credit to everyone who has worked on this project to see what has been achieved.
“During our visit we heard more about the challenges of delivering a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project, but also about the benefits of getting it done.
“It’s amazing to hear about how the wider community has a much-improved resource.
“We cannot wait to visit again once the technologies are having some longer-term impact.”
Jessica added: “The project has been greeted with great joy by the children, they couldn’t wait for the pool to reopen after works were completed, they absolutely love the warmer pool building.
“Swimming is the best lesson of the week!”
The project has been greeted with great joy by the children, they couldn’t wait for the pool to reopen after works were completed, they absolutely love the warmer pool building.
Thank you to everyone at St Luke’s Church of England Primary School for hosting our Salix team and explaining how the project has impacted the children and local community.
