Our school is benefitting from a new scheme to provide renewable energy to power our classrooms through the installation of solar panels, which took place in April 2025.
We were proud to be the first school selected as part of a £2 million investment by the not-for-profit organisation Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society.
The installation also marked the 200th school milestone for Solar for Schools, bringing low-cost, zero-carbon electricity and access to educational resources that inspire all generations to act more sustainably. We are committed to building a more sustainable, lower-carbon future.
Solar panels have the potential to generate renewable electricity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and lower long-term energy costs. But for us, this is about more than just energy—it’s about education, responsibility, and values.
At our school, we are committed to nurturing pupils who are not only academically capable but also ethically grounded and ready to contribute to a more sustainable world. Our investment in solar power is a visible expression of this commitment—transforming our site and reducing our carbon footprint in line with the Department for Education's strategy to achieve net-zero operations by 2032 and a 75% emissions reduction by 2037.
This work builds on our previous achievement of the Green Flag Award, our strong focus on outdoor learning, and our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility through initiatives like Project Biosphere (our school poly tunnel), a whole-school recycling focus, bulk ordering to reduce delivery frequency and associated fuel use, and our kitchen’s sustainability efforts—from reducing food waste to growing vegetables on-site. Even small actions, such as switching to recycled photocopy paper, reflect our whole-school approach.
Looking ahead, our curriculum will be further enhanced to ensure intentional learning about climate, sustainability, and social justice across all subjects—aligning with the DfE’s strategic aim to prepare learners for a changing world. Children will be supported to understand environmental challenges, explore solutions, and apply their learning to real-world contexts, both local and global.
This work reflects our vision, which emphasises wisdom, justice, and responsibility. By linking our growing infrastructure with curriculum innovation and spiritual values, we are cultivating a generation of learners who value responsibility, compassion, and global citizenship.
In the news:
Pupil Power: How Ben Helped Bring Solar Panels to Ackworth: Howard:https://education.solarforschools.co.uk/news/ben-s-story
First Wakefield school gets solar panels as part of a £2m investment to power classrooms:
First school now benefitting from solar panel programme:
https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/your-district/first-school-now-benefitting-from-solar-panel-programme
