The team at Surveyors to Education (S2e) has secured over 30% of all the money awarded to academies in the latest phase of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).

With Phase 3 results now out, our academy clients have taken an impressive share of the national pot to help schools go greener.

Not only were 100% of S2e clients successful in their PSDS applications, but our industry-leading position is demonstrated by the fact that these grants make up a third of all those approved by the Government.

As a result, our clients will be leading the way in slashing use of fossil fuels and reducing their carbon footprint, because fighting climate change is so important to their students, parents and teachers.

Grants can be used to transition to low-carbon heating by replacing fossil-fuel boilers more than 11 years old with an environmentally friendly alternative; and because the scheme has a “whole building” approach, technologies such as Solar PV or LED lighting have been included if they support the heat project.

Putting together the strongest entry

Applications will be opening in the autumn for the next phase, and S2e’s experience can help clients put together the strongest entry possible.

In fact, our applications have been used as a case study by Salix finance, who operate the scheme on behalf of the Government. They believe our work represents the gold standard in how to apply for funding.

In the East Midlands, our applications represent 73% of all successful academies!

Ahead of the game

Why are our clients so ahead of the game? Because the application process is complex, and we guide them through avoiding all the pitfalls.

Schools have to provide comprehensive supporting documentation describing the project and what technologies will be used, as well as a delivery plan setting out a financial profile of how funding will be drawn down over the lifetime of a project.

Expert chartered building surveyors such as S2e can assist in all these areas.

Reducing energy costs and carbon emissions

Our team can guide your academy or MAT in finding renewable and cost-effective solutions to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in two ways:

Generating energy: from heat pumps to solar panels, biomass and wind power.
Conserving energy: from insulation to smart energy-management technologies.

As well as going green, it’s about making draughty classrooms and sports halls far more comfortable places to teach and learn. It’s also about energy savings that can free up extra money for other demands within your school.

What are the PSDS rules?

There is no cap per application
But MATs and academies must pay the like-for-like costs of the project, defined as all the costs incurred if an existing heating system were to be replaced with a conventional boiler
Applicants can use their own funds to top up a project
MATs can apply for a number of sites
All schools can apply for funds for single-year, two-year or three-year projects
Applicants must demonstrate how they are obtaining value for money
They must prove that the project is tackling decarbonisation
They must provide evidence that no other funding streams are available for their application.

The PSDS has been running since autumn 2020 in three phases with more than £2.5 billion allocated in total for carbon-saving energy schemes in public sector buildings.

Contact us today to discuss how we can give you the very best chance of success in your application on 01530 877 969 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.

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