Sustainability Projects

Here at New Oak, we are committed to teaching our pupils the importance of respecting the environment. That is why we are delighted to announce that in August 2021, we worked with Eden Sustainable to install 180 solar panels around the school. This is projected to reduce our carbon output by 259 tonnes over the next 25 years.

These solar panels help Oasis Community Learning get one step closer to reaching its target of becoming a net zero educational organisation by 2030. What’s more, other than giving the well known benefits of combating climate change and reducing the carbon footprint in the community, they also provide an excellent curriculum resource for students of all ages, and grant impressive financial benefits which we can then invest in other areas of the school. For instance, New Oak’s solar panels are estimated to save the school £79,892 over the next 25 years.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, commented saying; “I welcome Oasis taking leadership on decarbonising their schools, and their commitment to net zero by 2030. This is good news for Bristol, good news for the students, good news for the school’s finances and good for the planet."

"Over the last three years, we have been working to support local schools to cut carbon through our own Schools Energy Efficiency Scheme. This has resulted in £1.3 million being invested in 30 schools, saving 6,320 tonnes of carbon over the next 10 years. This scheme will be expanded in the near future to cover decarbonisation projects, with support services available for all schools to transform their energy infrastructure."

“Bristol’s young people have been instrumental in championing the environment. So, it’s great to see that translating into action by educational organisations like Oasis, improving school environments whilst delivering interventions that will address the climate crisis. I am confident others will be inspired by Oasis’s initiative, and together with Bristol’s One City approach to tackling climate change, we can reduce carbon emissions to help prevent the worst effects of the climate and ecological emergencies.”

Steve Chalke, Founder & Leader of Oasis Charitable Trust, said; “Tackling the climate emergency agenda is central to Oasis’ overall mission of building safe and healthy local communities where everyone can thrive. More than that, as educationalists, delivering a learning experience to our students that both equips them to be world citizens as well as addressing the issues that they are passionate about is central to our responsibility.”

“That’s why Oasis – and the young people who make up our school communities – are so pleased to partner with Bristol in the One City Plan, and particularly to be working together on the One City Climate Strategy.”

It doesn’t end there, the multi-academy trust recently also switched 41 of its academies to SmartestEnergy’s renewable electricity product, that’s 80% of its schools. Under the two-year supply agreement, SmartestEnergy supplies 100% renewable electricity to Oasis Community Learning at their contracted sites.

Scott Burrows, Director at Eden Sustainable, added; “We are over the moon to be working with Oasis Community Learning on this flagship scheme. They have truly embraced their responsibility in this era of a climate emergency by not only rolling out solar across their estate, but by also employing measures to disseminate the message to the students and community. Whether a school, business, or government we must all make similar decisions and encourage others to do the same.”