Skip to main content

Action on Carbon and Energy in Schools (ACES)

News

News, blogs and case studies from the project. Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter.

  • Children in classroom
    News

    Our Impact

    In its third year, the ACES programme continued to provide energy efficiency support to Oxfordshire’s county-maintained schools. To date, the programme has reached over 60% of these schools, achieving actual carbon savings of 55 tonnes of CO2 as a direct result of implemented recommendations. The potential carbon savings from all recommended actions amount to 1,437…
    Read more
  • A classroom with students in the summer.
    Blog

    Beat the heat: Keeping classrooms cool on a hot day

    When temperatures soar, schools can start to get very uncomfortable for staff and students. This isn’t only unpleasant, but it can also disrupt learning and impact wellbeing. But cranking up the air conditioning isn’t the only answer, and often isn’t an option in UK schools anyway.   Here are some practical, low-carbon strategies to help your…
    Read more
  • Blog

    School Installs Solar Panels Through Loan Scheme

    Woodstock Primary School has installed a large solar PV array on their roof, to reduce electricity costs, address climate change by cutting carbon emissions as well as creating more renewable energy for the local electricity grid. What did they do? The Schools Business Manager contacted ACES about the Oxfordshire Schools Efficiency Loan Scheme. After submitting…
    Read more
  • News

    Help shape energy support for schools

    Over the past three years Action on Carbon and Energy in Schools (ACES) has been providing energy efficiency support for county-maintained schools across Oxfordshire. Can you help shape the service? Could you please take a couple of minutes to complete our short survey? Whether you’ve used the ACES service or not, your feedback will help…
    Read more
  • News

    Interest-free loans now available

    Applications are now being accepted for the latest round of interest-free loan schemes to help schools install energy saving measures. Eligible schools can apply for a loan to cover the cost of installing rooftop solar PV, LED lighting or battery storage, or a combination of these measures. Several schools are already benefiting from an earlier…
    Read more
  • News

    Press release: Whitchurch Primary School invests in energy efficient classrooms

    Pupils at Whitchurch Primary School are set to benefit from environmentally friendly classrooms after successfully applying for a schools energy efficiency loan from Oxfordshire County Council.   The county council has been running the interest free loan scheme since July 2023 to help maintained schools reduce their overall energy usage, which in turn could help…
    Read more
  • News

    Press release: Sonning Common Primary School invests in energy efficient classrooms

    Pupils at Sonning Common Primary School are set to benefit from environmentally friendly classrooms after successfully applying for a schools energy efficiency loan from Oxfordshire County Council. The county council has been running the interest free loan scheme since July 2023 to help maintained schools reduce their overall energy usage, which in turn could help…
    Read more
  • News

    Press release: Nettlebed Community School invests in energy efficient classrooms

    Pupils at Nettlebed Community School are set to benefit from brighter, environmentally friendly classrooms after successfully applying for a schools energy efficiency loan from Oxfordshire County Council. The county council has been running the interest free loan scheme since July 2023 to help maintained schools reduce their overall energy usage, which in turn could help…
    Read more
  • Blog

    Boiler Room Insulation

    This post addresses the importance of improving the insulation in your school boiler room. Why address your boiler room insulation? Most schools will have one or more boiler rooms with hot pipework covered with insulation. However, often there are uncovered sections, particularly valves and other oddly shaped pipes. Heat intended for the radiators throughout the…
    Read more
  • News

    News release: New Year, new funding: Interest-free loan now available for Oxfordshire County Council maintained schools to install energy saving measures   

    Following a successful first round last year, an interest-free loan launches this week to enable Oxfordshire schools to install energy saving measures. The scheme has already supported four schools and re-launches this week with limited funding available on a first come, first served basis.  County maintained schools in Oxfordshire can apply for an interest-free loan…
    Read more
  • Blog

    Saving energy during the school holidays

    Schools are always using some energy for essentials, such as security systems. However, half terms and holidays, when there are no staff or students in the buildings, are an opportunity to make sure non-essentials are switched off. Reviewing school switch off will help save carbon, energy and money. Here are a few ideas to get…
    Read more
For a better viewing experience we recommend you upgrade your browser.