Published: Wednesday 6 December 2023
Renovations at five North Kensington schools are upgrading the buildings for the future. The works have already begun, with an ambition to improve all schools and Council buildings as part of efforts to make Kensington and Chelsea a greener borough improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
Cllr Catherine Faulks, lead member for family and children’s services said:
“We know that 80 per cent of our borough’s emissions come from buildings. We’re investing to make our school buildings greener which in turn will make classrooms more comfortable for our schoolchildren and for our teachers, who do such an amazing job.
“At Avondale Park Primary alone, we’ll save 78 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and what’s more, the school will save on their energy costs.”
Which schools are getting the works?
The Council is aiming to improve all the borough’s schools and public buildings, but the first five getting the green treatment are Avondale Park Primary, St Francis of Assisi, All Saints Catholic College, Thomas Jones Primary School and Bevington Primary School. Following achieving listed building consent, work will also begin on Colville Primary School on Portobello Road in 2024.
What is happening at the schools?
New heating systems, larger radiators and new pipework replacing original Victoria pipes in some cases, are being installed as part of the retrofitting works. For example, at
The works are being completed by Asset Plus, with most work happening between 4pm and 10pm to not disturb the school day.
Ben McMullen, headteacher at Avondale Park Primary, said:
“For the kids it’s been an exciting time having builders and big machinery on site – a few diggers and a lot of loud noises – so the children have been enjoying that. I can honestly say the staff have been enjoying it too. The builders work between 4pm and 10pm so they don’t disturb the school today and are quiet and tidy.”
How do heat pumps work?
Air source heat pumps use energy from the air outside to turn it into electricity. Large radiators with a bigger surface area will help the spaces to get warm, without having radiators at very high temperatures, making them safer for the children, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
How much pollution will it remove from the air?
The carbon savings will depend on the size of the school. At St Francis of Assisi, the works will save 35 tonnes of carbon annually, while at Avondale that will be 78 tonnes of carbon annually. With new heat pumps taking CO2 from the air to create energy, there is also a small carbon capture benefit for the immediate surroundings.
Gerald Habib, client support officer at Salix, said:
“We are delighted to work with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and are looking forward to joining their decarbonisation journey.
“Not only will these measures improve the environment for children, creating better places to learn but the work will create carbon savings, and this will have impacts for the wider community.”