By carrying out energy efficiency measures the school has not only cut its carbon footprint, but also reinvested the money to employ two new full time members of staff.

Southwold Primary School, in Hackney, London, was constructed in 1863 and is a grade II listed building leaving head teacher Gary Boyd scratching his head on how to bring down energy costs.

Mr Boyd, after seeking advice from EDF Energy, opted to install a Building Management System (BMS) to combat inefficient heating and lighting.

Part of the improvements included installing a digital display, which allowed the pupils to see where energy was being wasted an encouraged them to help reduce it.

In less than a year Southwold reduced its energy bills by 35% and improved its Display Energy Certificate (DEC) rating from an F to a C.

Today more than two years on from the installation, savings have reached 48% of the energy budget over that period.

Mr Boyd said: “Despite the age of Southwold, real improvements have been made.

“Halving our energy bills in two years is an amazing outcome which will help our school cope with the funding cuts.”

Luke Walsh

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