Work has begun to increase environmental and financial savings thanks to significant decarbonisation funding.

Significant work has taken place across JCAT over Summer 2022 to reduce the climate impact of our academies.

Funding for the decarbonisation was secured by the Trust from Salix Finance in January 2022, to the amount of £674,831. This is being used across three of our academies to fit new heat pumps, solar panels, pipe insulation and door proofing. The overall aim of the work is to assist the schools to run low-carbon heating and reduce the environmental impact of our Trust.

We are strongly committed to our planet and doing our part as its caretakers. Primary and secondary schools account for 21% of the UK’s public sector carbon emissions, and it is therefore our responsibility as a Multi Academy Trust to ensure our impact is minimised.

We took part in a significant consultation with the Department for Education to choose a provider to carry out the work, resulting in the selection of Asset Plus. This was due to their previous work with schools across London, which has resulted in a 21.5% reduction in energy waste and 31% annual saving on energy bills.

Work will be taking place at Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School and Wolfson Hillel Primary School. Funding was not sought for Rimon Jewish Primary School as its relatively new building already meets recommended environmental standards. This work is predicted to result in significant environmental and financial savings for the three academies, increasing carbon savings by an average of 44%, energy savings by an average of 45% and financial savings by an average of 8%.

By the end of October 2022 schools will be fully equipped with new gas boilers and pipe work.