I am pleased to inform you that our school has received accreditation for our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Since January 2026, Elvington Church of England Primary School has had solar panels, electrical vehicle charging and LED lighting installed, resulting in the following benefits:

 

Solar Panels

In addition to supporting sustainability, these panels have helped to reduce our electricity consumption from the national grid, allowing us to save on our electricity bills.  Generating renewable energy on-site also helps to lower carbon emissions and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.  During periods of lower school usage, surplus energy generation can further improve overall efficiency and long-term cost savings.

 

There was no cost to the school for the installation, as funding was secured by City of York Council following a successful grant application process in the Spring Term.

 

Electrical Vehicle Charging

Installing an EV charger has helped to reduce our school’s carbon footprint, promote cleaner air quality and align with national net-zero objectives.  Encouraging the use of electric vehicles within the community also helps to reduce local traffic pollution around the school site, benefiting pupils, staff and residents.

 

We have now set charging fees for staff, visitors and the public.  By opening the school car park to the wider community during evenings, weekends and holidays, the school has created a steady income stream to help fund educational programmes and future sustainability projects.  Additional details can be found via the Monta Charge App.

 

As with the solar panels, there was no charge to the school, as the cost of the installation was covered by a DfE grant.

 

LED Lighting

Over the May Half Term break, we will be having LED lighting installed throughout school.  LED lighting in schools reduces energy bills by up to 80% and drastically lowers maintenance costs due to the much longer lifespan of LED bulbs.  LEDs also consume less energy, generate less heat and contribute to reducing the school’s overall carbon emissions.

 

Beyond the financial savings, LEDs provide a superior, flicker-free learning environment that reduces eye strain, improves student focus and can even be tuned to support concentration and regulate behaviour.  Improved lighting quality can also enhance classroom visibility and create a more comfortable environment for teaching and learning.

 

All of the aforementioned initiatives have been funded via either grants or capital funding.  Consequently, there has been no direct cost to the school budget, while generating long-term savings that can instead be directed towards supporting education and improving opportunities for pupils.