STAR Multi Academy Trust

Challenge

Over the last two years, Eddisons successfully secured Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) funding for three schools within The STAR Multi Academy Trust. This included £380k via PSDS 3B for Kirk Fenton Primary School, and a further £520k and £220k via PSDS 3C for South Milford Primary School and Appleton Roebuck Primary School respectively.

Each school faced similar challenges: the existing oil-fired boilers and domestic hot water systems were over 20 years old and approaching end of life. Due to the rural locations of the schools, heating had historically relied on oil—a high-carbon fossil fuel.

Solution

Eddisons managed the projects from inception to completion, including the appointment of the design team, procurement, contract award, and full contract administration. We also ensured compliance with all health and safety obligations under CDM regulations and conducted fortnightly progress meetings with the Trust to report on programme, quality, and cost.

The outdated oil boilers were fully removed and replaced with new heating plant systems. New radiators were also supplied and installed across the schools.

At Kirk Fenton and South Milford, ground source heat pumps were installed to reduce carbon emissions by providing low-carbon heat energy to the buildings.

In addition, three Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) systems were installed, each comprising two duty-assist heat pumps. These systems extract thermal energy from ambient air to heat low temperature hot water (LTHW), now serving as the primary heat source for the buildings.

Solar PV systems were also installed at the schools. The systems consist of Flat Fix 100kW arrays, with 232 panels rated at 425 watts each. These generate renewable energy to power the heat pumps, with any surplus energy exported back to the grid under the feed-in tariff scheme.

Results

The new ground and air source heat pump systems have now replaced the fossil fuel-burning oil boilers, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of the schools.

The integrated solar PV arrays provide renewable electricity, further reducing reliance on external energy sources and improving overall energy efficiency.

Eddisons delivered all three projects on time and in line with funding requirements, providing end-to-end project management while ensuring minimal disruption to the school environment.

Today, Eddisons continues to work with The STAR Multi Academy Trust on similar decarbonisation projects.