A solar panel and battery storage scheme at Lea & Garsdon Primary School near Malmesbury officially opened on Friday 12 September, helping the school cut energy costs and support pupils’ learning about sustainability.

The scheme, projected to save nearly £240k over 20 years, has been funded through a combination of fundraising donations from parents, residents and local businesses, together with a loan from Wiltshire Council.

Contractors have been on site over summer to complete the scheme. The project has seen 218 solar panels installed with battery storage – enabling the school to reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions, and release more funding for teaching and learning.

The ceremony opened with a presentation from Dr Roz Savage MP, followed by an official ribbon-cutting alongside the school’s pupil ‘eco-champions’, parents and governors. It was also a chance for everyone involved – governors, staff, parents, pupils, the council and local supporters – to thank each other for the drive and dedication that made the project possible.

Head Teacher, Mrs Sian Alderson, said: “We are thrilled with our solar panel installation, here at Lea and Garsdon Primary School. Not only is this a ‘green solution’ to our energy consumption, it allows us to spend the inevitable savings on the children and our curriculum – a win-win situation! The school governors have been incredibly pro-active in making it happen and we can’t thank them enough for their time and dedication. We are also very grateful to our local community, who have generously donated towards the cost of each panel, leaving a lasting legacy for the children at Lea and Garsdon Primary. It is a fantastic testament to all those involved, and an exceptional community project – thank you!”

Chair of Governors, Dr Phil Yates, said: “We want the educational experience here at Lea & Garsdon to be the best it can be. This means diverting as much money towards teaching and learning as we can. The solar energy now produces savings of over £11k each and every year which will directly support educational activities for decades to come. This is an ‘invest-to-save’ scheme true to its name and we hope ours can be a model for many other schools. Thank you to Wiltshire Council for putting your trust in us to deliver and a massive thank you to the wonderful parents and local residents who have donated over £23k of their own money as a vote of confidence in what we’re doing for their children, the future wellbeing of the school and a sustainable planet.”

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “This project is one of the first of its kind for Wiltshire, and it shows what can be achieved when schools, families, the local community and the council work together. It will both lower running costs for the school and provide an educational opportunity for pupils to see renewable energy in action. It’s a fantastic example of local initiative supporting Wiltshire’s climate ambitions.”

The school’s ‘sponsor a solar panel’ scheme is still open and donations will help to support the scheme. More details on their website: https://www.leagarsdon.wilts.sch.uk/sponsor-a-solar-panel/