Saving with solar at Dalmain School

Saving with solar at Dalmain School

Dalmain Primary is the oldest school in Lewisham. It is also the first to move away from fossil fuels by using solar panels and a heat pump.

Dalmain worked with the council and local charity Retrofit Action for Tomorrow to replace the gas boiler, put in new radiators, and insulation. The garden also features clever planters, fed by rainwater from their gutters, and which help to protect against flooding.

Headteacher Ms Eisele and her team know that well-insulated, energy efficient buildings make children more comfortable and ready to learn. They are committed to both future proofing their buildings and ensuring a better future for children.

Pupils at Dalmain learn about positive climate action by experiencing it every day in their classrooms. Children have been involved in each step of the improvements, with RAFT running sessions on retrofitting, how to save energy at school, and in their homes. Lessons are regularly taken in the wildlife garden, and there is a yearly Eco Week, with a toy swap and plant-based lunches.

South East London Community Energy help to create clean and affordable energy, which is owned by residents, rather than big companies. Using the Community Energy Fund, parents at Dalmain worked with SELCE to install solar panels on the school’s roof. This has cut their energy bills, saving them tens of thousands of pounds to instead spend on education.