Torbay's biggest primary school to get low-carbon heating upgrade

One of Torbay's biggest primary schools is set for a major upgrade to its heating system this summer, in a project expected to save an estimated 32 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and around £2,000 a year.

Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay, which has more than 700 pupils aged two to 11, will have its end-of-life gas boilers in the lower blocks replaced with air source heat pump systems. The work is scheduled to begin at the end of July and finish by early September, in time for the school to reopen, and is being carried out over the summer holidays to avoid disrupting learning.

Alongside the heat pump installation, the school will also have solar panels fitted to help power the new system and further reduce energy bills, and windows at the front of the building upgraded to triple glazing to cut heat loss in winter and keep the school cooler in summer.

The scheme is part-funded by a £311,600 grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with the remainder coming from Torbay Council's capital investment programme. The heat pump installation will be carried out by South Devon-based contractor Murch and Baker.

Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, 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."

Cllr Nick Bye, Torbay Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, 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. It is just one example of how we are improving facilities for our children and young people, so they have the best possible education and training to fulfil their potential."

Sherwell Valley Primary School Headteacher Cristy Nelson 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."

A spokesperson for Murch and Baker said: "We are thrilled to be working with Torbay Council to deliver this carbon-saving project for Sherwell Valley Primary School. As well as helping to reduce emissions and support a more sustainable future, the improvements will create a more comfortable and pleasant environment for the children and staff, while also helping to lower energy costs for the school.

"As a part of our social value commitment, we are also proud to support two care-experienced local young people through training and work placement opportunities as part of the project."

Ian Rodger, Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation at Salix, said: "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 to deliver funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The council is taking a decisive step towards a cleaner, more resilient future."

The Sherwell Valley project forms part of Torbay Council's wider Carbon Neutral Action Plan, which sets out how the council is working to reduce carbon dioxide output across its buildings, staff travel and other transport, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.