Walsingham Church of England Primary School

The Client

Walsingham Church of England Primary School in Norfolk is part of the Pilgrim Federation managed by an executive head teacher and deputy head, who also cover the other three schools in the group.

The school in the Norwich Diocese is a typical Victorian building with three classrooms and a small hall. It benefits from a large playing field with an environmental area tucked away in one corner.

The school made contact with SaveMoneyCutCarbon after being introduced by Sam Witton, Estates & Finance Officer for Norwich Diocese, who had been impressed by previous successful LED installations at schools within the diocese.

SaveMoneyCutCarbon has a trusted relationship with the diocese, and has also successfully delivered scores of school energy-saving projects nationally, using its extensive expertise within the education sector.

The school had identified that the quality of light in the building was poor quality. Given the age of the installation, frequent maintenance was needed, with frequent maintenance and replacement of fluorescent tubes and other fittings. SaveMoneyCutCarbon had detailed discussions with the school management on ways to improve the lighting while also reducing costs and carbon footprint.

SaveMoneyCutCarbon provides every client with a unique, cost-effective and efficient full-service solution. After initial agreement with the school, the specialist lighting team carried out a detailed survey and provided full analysis, including the expected energy savings, reductions in CO2 emissions and payback schedule.

It proposed that quality LED lamps be retrofitted because this type of lighting uses an exceptionally low amount of energy and well as being highly reliable and having a long working life of around 50,000 hours.

As a comparison, traditional light bulbs typically would last around 1,000 hours and fluorescent tubes will work for around 5,000 hours before light quality degrades. The LED lamps also need little to no maintenance which is another budget benefit as the school should not need to replace these for a decade or more. The upgrade also resolves issues of failed tubes and other fittings.

The installation team – all fully DBS checked – worked closely with the school and completed the lighting project during holiday time to avoid disruption. The SaveMoneyCutCarbon team replaced 68 units – a range of battens, vapour-proof lights, floodlights and bulkheads. The school now wants to look at its water usage when funds are available, with a focus on the toilet facilities.