Top Funding Avenues for Energy Projects in Schools

The education sector is facing increasing pressure to produce sustainable strategies and reduce its carbon emissions. Achieving this will not only ensure that they can meet the UK’s Net Zero Target on decarbonisation and energy efficiency but also generate higher levels of profitability.

With this mounting sense of urgency of sustainability measures, we are supporting many of public sector clients when they come to us with concerns on how they will fund this and implement energy efficiency measures? But avenues of funding are not so much of a barrier as you may think. Sometimes all you need is the right expertise and our consultancy expertise to help you overcome the jargon and understand which is right for you in the long term.

Contact us today for a FREE consultation to make sure you are getting your share of this vital funding. Fill out the form or call  01279 647111.

Helping you choose the right school funding avenue

At Barker Associates, our consultants capitalise on the ever-evolving school and academy funding landscape, pairing exceptional opportunities for clients with educational buildings in need. So, what is the right funding avenue for your organisation? Let’s look at the options for school energy efficiency grants.

Energy Grants For Schools:

Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS)

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) offers funding support to public bodies. It allows organisations to upgrade existing heating systems using low-carbon technologies such as air source, water source or ground source heat pumps. In previous years, £31 million worth of funding was allocated to the education sector, and we helped to our clients secure over £10 million of this. If you have a heating system you’d like to upgrade, be sure to contact us to discuss your application.

Note that there will be no Public Sector Decarbonisation Funding for the financial year 2025/26. Further information will be provided when available.

Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF)

The Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund is a vital resource, providing grants to unlock decarbonisation in the public sector. For organisations that still heavily rely on fossil fuel-based heating, the LCSF is ideal as it enables you to develop energy strategies for more sustainable forms of heating. Contact us to find out how we can support you with your bid.

Note that there will be no Low Carbon Skills Funding for the financial year 2025/26. Further information will be provided when available.

Other Options:

Operating Lease/Commercial Finance

There are various funders provide bespoke asset finance solutions to organisations in the public and private sector. They offer access to capital for investment and a cash flow friendly way of acquiring new equipment.

Power Purchase Agreement

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is an agreement between renewable energy providers and organisations. The provider owns, installs and maintains an energy system in any organisation, allowing them to receive tax credits and an income from the sale of electricity. 


For the organisation, PPA’s allow for stable and low-cost renewable electricity with no upfront cost. PPA’s are perfect for organisations that want to save energy and reduce costs, hedge against energy price increases, or improve the resiliency of their operations without spending their own capital.

Let’s Go Zero Campaign

The Let’s Go Zero campaign is a community initiative by Ashden that provides invaluable support for setting up zero carbon targets for schools. They help to develop roadmaps for delivery and use these roadmaps to increase pressure on the UK government to receive more support. While not a direct avenue for funding, the Let’s Go Zero campaign collaborates with schools and the government to achieve lasting change. 


As more organisations join the campaign, the government is more likely to provide increased funding and generate fresh policies for the education sector.

Our School Energy Projects

L.E.A.D Academy Trust
Various Multi Academy Trusts PSDS Scheme
Lift Schools
Ormiston Academies Trust
L.E.A.D Academy Trust

L.E.A.D Academy Trust

The Problem:
The Academy trust required our assistance in accessing government funding for the decarbonisation of their estates through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and in delivering the resulting projects.

The Outcome:
Barker supported the organisation by writing a strong bid document, resulting in a successful PSDS application and successfully securing £694,000 in grant funding.

“Barker is highly professional, responsive and knowledgeable.”

L.E.A.D Academy Trust 

Various Multi Academy Trusts PSDS Scheme

Various Multi Academy Trusts PSDS Scheme

The Problem:
In September 2020, the UK Government announced the £1 billion PSDS funding initiative for energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects. In response, over 50 clients requested our support in multiple areas.

The Outcome:
The Barker team successfully completed over 370 audits in under three months. We secured nearly £10 million in capital funding through the PSDS scheme, enabling our clients to achieve many of their decarbonisation goals.

“With Barker’s assistance, we secured over £3 million worth of funding with the PSDS round. Barker has been great throughout the whole process, assisting with the initial skills fund award, the bids, monitoring paperwork as well as project tenders, setup and completion.”
Lift Schools

Lift Schools

Lift Schools

The Problem:
The trust needed to secure funding to conduct Energy Assessments for schools and to access significant funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).

The Outcome:
Barker provided end-to-end assistance, securing initial funding from the Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) and helping to secure over £3 million through the PSDS.

“Barker has been great through the whole process, assisting with the initial skills fund award, the bids, monitoring paperwork as well as project tenders, setup, and completion.”

Lift Schools



Ormiston Academies Trust

Ormiston Academies Trust
​MAT Capital Loans Pilot Scheme – LED Replacement & PV Installation Project

The Problem:
Brook Weston and Ormiston Academies Trust spent over £2.7m a year on energy and needed to spend over £1m on lighting replacement over the next 5 years.

The Outcome:
The Pilot Scheme saw over 15,000 lamps replaced with LEDs, which meant the trust could reduce their electricity bills by 30%. Each academy’s roof was installed with PV panels which will save them £2 million after the loan repayment.

“Data gathered from the first 12 months has shown that the project delivers the initial vision and can leave a legacy of over £2m of free electricity.”
James Miller, Ormiston Academies Trust

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