As we approach the summer holidays, due to commence on July 21st, 2023, we have identified significant opportunities to save energy and reduce our school's carbon footprint. Our focus will primarily be on the management of our heating and hot water system.

Currently, about 50% of a school's gas is consumed when the premises are closed. Recognising this as an area of potential wastage, we are intent on making substantial changes to our energy usage patterns during the holidays.

Hot water provision is another area we have identified for improvement. According to Energy Sparks, heating hot water can consume about 40% of a school's gas. Despite this, schools on average are only 15% efficient at providing hot water due to the loss of heat from the 'circulatory hot water system'. We intend to address this inefficiency as well.

Our short-term solution will be to ensure the hot water only circulates during the school day and is turned off out of hours, at weekends, and during holidays. We are aware of the need for Legionella purging at the end of long holidays, and this will be incorporated into our plans.

To implement this strategy effectively, our caretaker or building manager will be given the responsibility of establishing a checklist for the end of every term, a key part of which will be switching the hot water off. 

We will encourage staff or contractors visiting the school during the holidays to use cold water or other sources of heating hot water, or to turn on the hot water for a limited time period. If, for example, there is a week of deep cleaning in the summer holidays, we will not leave the hot water on for all 6 weeks.

Our Legionella policy will be reviewed, but from our current understanding, the risk is typically the same whether hot water is left on or turned off completely. In either case, the flushing arrangements at the end of a long holiday should be the same. This plan will be implemented in compliance with the Legionella policy and the relevant safety regulations.

We are dedicated to implementing these changes and follow the guidance provided by Energy Sparks to minimise energy waste on heating hot water during the school holidays. Our mission is not just to educate our pupils, but to ensure that we are setting a good example by running our school in the most energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly way possible. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these changes in the coming school year.