The Framework puts Diocesan Boards of Education at the centre of the delivery of the schools and academies net zero carbon plans.
In terms of the Attitudes, Behaviours and Cultures the Boards of Education’s role is largely one of encouragement, support and signposting, with a particular focus on resources for collective worship and RE which engage and reflect the wider sustainability and biodiversity agenda.
In terms of Energy and Fabric, Board of Education have a particular responsibility for its VA schools as outlined above, and working closely with their own consultants and Regional Consultants as appropriate to ensure that schools are using energy efficiently and effectively, and where possible Solar PV is being considered, as well as addressing fabric concerns with the estate and increasing insulation to reduce heat-loss as required. They should also be supporting their MATs to navigate through this – with the support of their Regional Consultant. The Board of Education should be able to engage with most schools on this aspect of the target.
In terms of replacing oil and gas-fired boilers, only the most eligible for Government Grant Funding will be able to afford the costs. The schools and academies most eligible will be highlighted through the data collection process of the Framework. It is likely that only a few schools in each diocese will be able to available this in the next few years, largely due to the significant costs of each project.
One way to help make the biggest impact across the 3,000 Church of England school estate in the scope of Net Zero Carbon by 2030, would be for each Board of Education to voluntarily agree to pool 2.5% of its SCA funding to enable decarbonisation works to take place in whichever diocese has the most eligible schools. We are expecting a number of Dioceses to have eligible schools but without the SCA to fund the complete the funding envelope. This voluntarily top-slice will enable the biggest impact possible across the whole Church School estate. The Framework is able to assist with the 10% Governor Liability on the SCA element of funding once that has been secured.
In addition, Boards of Education may want to ‘top-slice’ some of their own SCA funding for decarbonisation projects, but this should be done in consultation with Regional Consultants who will be able to best advise, especially given that most decarbonisation projects will be around the fabric improvement of buildings. It may be reasonable for Boards of Education to fund specific Heat Decarbonisation Plans (which can be procured through the Framework) where significant fabric improvement work is required to ensure that the building is being made ready for a heat pump solution once the oil or gas boiler is made redundant.
Many Boards of Education have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with their schools and they may consider using that as a vehicle to offer additional support for the decarbonisation agenda.
RAFT has produced an Execution Plan which may be helpful for some Boards of Education and some schools. In essence, much of the Execution Plan follows the principles of the Decarbonisation Diamond, with an emphasis in the early years of a better understanding of the school buildings, and a focus on better use of energy and any reasonably quick and inexpensive fabric improvements – such as LED lighting and added insulation – which helps with a reduction in energy consumption and heating loss.