39 East Lancs schools sign up to Government solar project

There are 39 schools across the region that have joined the Let’s Go Zero school climate campaign, which is working as part of a consortium to roll out the UK Government’s GB Energy Solar Partnership.

Let’s Go Zero is led by climate solutions charity Ashden and will work within the Barker consortium on the installations, and so far more than 7,000 schools across the UK have signed up.

The consortium will be supporting 47 schools and colleges in the North West to decarbonise at first, with the selected ones still to be confirmed.

The work will save schools money on energy while benefiting the environment, with government estimates suggesting schools can save £25,000 a year by switching to solar.

The solar programme is part of the £200 million Great British Energy investment for schools and NHS sites.

Alex Green, head of Let’s Go Zero, said: “School rooftops are a hugely underused asset in the UK – so this solar roll-out in the North West is incredibly exciting.

“Let’s Go Zero will work closely with staff and students on energy-saving behaviours like switch-off campaigns and monitoring usage.

“Changing a variety of simple habits can cut a school’s energy use by at least 10 per cent.

“Our Climate Action Advisors help each school identify the most effective solutions to cut energy bills, lower emissions, save money, and create inspiring learning environments for children, teachers, and families.”

Stephen Morgan MP, Minister for Early Education with responsibility for sustainability and climate across the education system, said: “We recognise both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity ahead of us in creating low-carbon, climate-resilient education settings.

“We need fresh thinking, stronger collaboration and practical action that unlocks investment, building on climate action plans for all education settings and delivers real impact for learners, for staff and for the communities that we serve now.

“The challenges we face are urgent, but together we have the power to create lasting change."

The list of East Lancashire schools signed up for the solar programme:

• Balderstone St Leonards CE Primary School
• Salesbury CE Primary School
• St James’ CE Primary School, Blackburn
• St Antony’s RC Primary School, Blackburn
• Belthorn Primary Academy
• Hoddlesden St Paul’s CE Primary School
• Turton and Edgworth CE Primary School
• The Hyndburn Academy
• Clayton-le-Moors All Saints’ CE Primary School
• Accrington Academy
• St Paul’s CE Primary School, Oswaldtwistle
• Accrington St Christopher’s CE High School
• Accrington Hyndburn Park Primary School
• Mount Carmel RC High School, Accrington
• Haslingden St James CE Primary School
• St Veronica’s RC Primary School, Helmshore
• Peel Brow Primary School, Ramsbottom
• St Andrew’s CE Primary School, Ramsbottom
• Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe
• Chatburn CE Primary School
• Burnley Ightenhill Primary School
• Christ The King RC Primary School, Burnley
• St John’s CE Primary School, Cliviger
• Worsthorne Primary School
• Heasandford Primary School
• Pendle Primary Academy, Brierfield
• Marsden Heights Community College, Nelson
• Bradley Primary School, Nelson
• Barrowford Primary School
• Colne Primet Academy
• Trawden Forest Primary School
• Laneshawbridge Primary School
• Foulridge St Michael and All Angels’ CE Primary School
• Thornton-in-Craven Community Primary School
• West Craven High School, Barnoldswick
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Barnoldswick
• Gisburn Road Primary School, Barnoldswick
• Our Lady and St Anselm’s RC Primary School, Whitworth
• Tonacliffe Primary School, Whitworth