Wallace High School has embarked on a transformative journey towards sustainability through its ambitious initiative, Project Refresh. This comprehensive three-year programme, which commenced in June 2024, aims to retrofit the school’s existing infrastructure to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and extend the building’s lifespan. The successful completion of Phase 1 marks a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
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Project Refresh
At the heart of Project Refresh is the integration of cutting-edge green technologies. A notable achievement is the installation of 400 solar panels across key areas of the campus, including the Assembly Hall, Sports Hall, Canteen, and Gym. This £300,000 project, fully funded through successful applications and partnerships, is designed to meet the school’s hot water needs throughout the year, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Hybrid Heating System
In tandem with this investment in renewable energy, the school has implemented a hybrid heating system, combining traditional gas boilers with state-of-the-art air source heat pumps (ASHPs). The ASHPs supply the majority of the school’s heating needs, operating at up to 300% efficiency—producing three units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. A central buffer tank stores hot water at 75°C, with ASHPs given priority for heating, and the existing gas boilers retained for top-up and backup provision. This hybrid model offers both flexibility and resilience, significantly lowering energy consumption and extending the lifespan of the existing gas infrastructure.
Complementing the heating system is the introduction of a Structural Thermal System, which includes upgraded insulation and energy-efficient glazing. Phase 1 focused on the north-facing rear of the building—an area that receives no solar gain and historically posed challenges for heat retention. New external wall insulation has been applied to the 1970s-era exposed brickwork, substantially reducing heat loss and air leakage. Concurrently, the school has replaced aged, single-glazed aluminium windows with modern, double-glazed units that improve airtightness and thermal performance.
Retrofit
These enhancements have a measurable impact. The insulation and glazing upgrades are expected to save approximately 546,536 kWh of energy and over 102 tonnes of CO₂ annually, delivering financial savings of around £58,683 per year. The hybrid heating system, meanwhile, will contribute an additional annual saving of £24,033 and 45.5 tonnes of CO₂. Together with the solar panel project, Wallace High School is forecast to save nearly 1 million kWh of energy and 187 tonnes of CO₂ annually, equating to £131,427 in financial savings.
Over the 25-year projected lifecycle of Project Refresh, the school is expected to save a total of 147 million kilowatt-hours of energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 28,000 tonnes, and generate approximately £19.7 million in cost savings. These figures underscore Wallace’s role as a leader in educational sustainability and a model for public sector decarbonisation.
Principal Mrs Deborah O’Hare has been a driving force behind Project Refresh. Reflecting on the initiative, she stated:
“Our School values of Commitment, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence are driving the Environmental and Social Governance of Wallace. Wallace will be sector leading as a public sector workplace and educational establishment to undergo a deep retrofit. By choosing not to knock down and rebuild our School we are, in turn, not adding to the carbon which has been here since the 1970s. By retrofitting our building we will get a long-term gain, our building’s life will be extended by decades, and we are reducing our carbon footprint.”
Beyond infrastructural change, Wallace High School is embedding sustainability into its educational ethos. The annual Project Based Learning (PBL) fortnight, held each June, immerses students in real-world environmental challenges. Through interdisciplinary projects, students explore issues such as renewable energy, sustainable design, and climate resilience. This hands-on approach not only enriches their academic experience but also instils a sense of environmental responsibility.
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Mrs O’Hare emphasised the importance of this initiative:
“The PBL fortnight allows our students to continue to consider global problems and offer creative solutions for our future. This is an important event in our school calendar and I always take great pride in seeing what our young people can accomplish.”
The school’s commitment to sustainability also extends to community initiatives. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has successfully organised pre-loved uniform sales, promoting the reuse of clothing and reducing waste. These events provide affordable options for families while reinforcing Wallace’s environmental values.
As Wallace High School progresses through Phases 2 and 3 of Project Refresh, it stands as a beacon of sustainable practice in education. Through infrastructural innovation, curricular integration, and community engagement, the school exemplifies a holistic approach to environmental responsibility, preparing students to be conscientious and forward-thinking leaders of tomorrow.
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You can find out more about our plan for net zero by 2033 in the articles below:
Last modified: June 6, 2025
