Schools across the diocese will be able to help plan for the sustainable future of their buildings, thanks to some £40,000 of government grant funding.
Some 47 diocesan Voluntary Aided (VA) schools have secured the funding from Phase 5 of the Low Carbon Skills Fund, which is a government fund for providing grants to public sector bodies to access skills and expertise to unlock heat decarbonisation on their estate.
The funds, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix, will allow each school to undertake an energy survey.
The surveys are being executed by Inspired Efficiency, an environmental consultancy that also supported the application process.
They are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The energy surveys will allow schools and the diocesan Education Team to get a clearer picture of what improvements might be needed for VA schools.
This will help schools to work to create climate action plans, and will also help the Education Team in supporting schools on their journey towards net zero.
The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, diocesan bishop for the environment and Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to secure this funding for our schools, which will help reduce emissions, a key part of how we safeguard God’s creation and reach out in love to the needs of God’s world.
“It’s a great investment in our school buildings, helping them become fit for the future and allowing our schools to teach young people for generations to come.
“This is an important step on our diocesan journey towards net zero, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results of the work made possible by this funding.”
Beth Maclean, School Buildings Support Officer, said: “We are thrilled to have been successful in our application to the Low Carbon Skills Fund to conduct energy surveys in our VA schools.
“With the surveys in VA schools now underway, we can better support schools to create tailored climate action plans and help them to take vital steps toward our mutual sustainability goals.
“If any schools or academies would like support and advice, please reach out to me, or check out our website here.
“I’m here to guide and support schools through every step of this journey!”
Stephanie Slater, client support officer at Salix, said: “The Low Carbon Skills Fund helps public sector organisations to generate robust heat decarbonisation plans which inform priorities for future capital works programmes.
“We are delighted to work with the Diocese of Leeds to deliver this funding that will inform plans for dozens of schools across area.
“In doing so, these plans have the potential to propel programmes of work that have a positive outcomes for not only the planet, but for thousands of pupils and staff too.”