Hall Green School helps students explore careers with greener future as it cuts energy costs by £70,000 a year thanks to sustainability drive

Hall Green School  is celebrating a major step forward in its sustainability journey, after completing a series of improvements that have helped the school improve its energy efficiency rating from F to C and save around £70,000 a year on energy costs.

However, the school’s approach to sustainability goes well beyond energy efficiency. Students are given opportunities to learn about the growing range of careers linked to sustainability, with external speakers visiting the school to talk about the opportunities available to young people in the sector. Rabia and Rayan, year 10 students at Hall Green School had the following to say: “This work has made us think more carefully about how the choices we make every day can affect the environment.

“The improvements have also made a difference to us as students. For example, the new double-glazed windows have made classrooms feel warmer and more comfortable, especially during colder weather, which makes it easier to concentrate in lessons. We’ve also learned that sustainability is linked to lots of different careers, which we hadn’t really thought about before.

“Seeing these changes happening in our own school makes sustainability feel real rather than just something we learn about, and it has encouraged me to think about the choices I can make now and in the future.” The school, part of the West Midlands Academy Trust, has also recently completed the installation of new electric vehicle charging bays thanks to the trust’s estates team, with all three schools across the trust now equipped with electric vehicle charging facilities. The latest work forms part of a comprehensive review of Hall Green School’s sustainability strategy, with significant improvements made across the school estate.

As a result of the work, Hall Green’s carbon footprint for fuel and electricity use is now below average. Hall Green has a dedicated recycling scheme, with students learning about the importance of reducing waste. The school is also cleaned using environmentally friendly products.

Every window across the school is now double glazed and all rooms use energy-efficient LED lighting. The school has also secured Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) investment from the Department for Education, which has been used to make improvements to the school’s roof. The school has its own gardening area, where students can learn about growing fresh produce and develop a practical understanding of food and the environment.

A uniform swap shop is also helping to give school clothing a second life. GCSE students who donate their uniform can wear non-uniform during their exams, providing an additional incentive to keep unwanted clothing in circulation rather than sending it to landfill. Miss Slater, Headteacher at Hall Green School said: “Sustainability is about looking at the way our school operates every day and finding practical ways to reduce energy use, cut waste, save money and help our young people understand the importance of protecting our environment.

“The progress at Hall Green is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through sustained investment and a whole-school approach. Improving the school’s energy efficiency is a significant achievement, while the education we provide our students ensures they understand the importance of sustainability.”