Finham Park Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), operating eight schools across Coventry and Warwickshire, is proving how coordinated climate action can deliver tangible results. With guidance from Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisor Rosie Pincott, the trust has cut energy use by an average of 6% across its schools in just the first year – a saving of roughly £400 per week. These early wins are the start of much bigger energy and cost reductions to come.
The trust’s approach combines simple, effective measures such as LED lighting and smart boiler controls with more strategic initiatives like energy monitoring and a unified climate action plan. Staff across all levels – from senior leaders to operations managers – are involved, sharing insights and learning from one another.
6%
reduction in energy use
25%
reduction in associated CO₂ emissions
Before Let’s Go Zero’s involvement, climate projects at Finham Park MAT were fragmented. Each school was pursuing sustainability in isolation, with limited coordination, making it harder to achieve measurable progress. Energy use varied widely across sites, and little data was available to guide improvements or track impact. High energy baseloads were a particular challenge – Finham Park 2 Secondary School, for example, used 64% of electricity outside school hours, costing £42,000 a year.
Without clear goals or oversight, staff often relied on assumptions about energy use, and small inefficiencies – like computers left on overnight – went unnoticed. The trust lacked a central structure for sharing best practice, tracking progress, and embedding climate action across all eight schools.
Additionally, schools needed practical guidance on how to tackle inefficiencies while balancing budget constraints, staff engagement, and student involvement. The challenge was not just to reduce consumption, but to create a replicable model that could deliver measurable outcomes, inspire staff and students, and align with wider sustainability goals.
Let’s Go Zero provided the expertise and framework to transform the trust’s sustainability approach. Climate Action Advisor Rosie helped consolidate each school’s self-audits into a unified Climate Action Plan, aligning with Department for Education sustainability priorities. Roles, responsibilities, and clear timelines were assigned, ensuring accountability across all eight sites.
Finham Park 2 School led the way, implementing LED lighting, smart boiler controls, and a staff and student “switch-off fortnight” campaign to tackle easily solvable inefficiencies. Energy monitoring tools such as Energy Sparks and Count Your Carbon were introduced, providing actionable insights into peak usage times, baselines, and potential savings. This data-driven approach allowed staff to understand, measure, and respond to energy patterns effectively.
The trust also established a sustainability work group, meeting each half-term to share best practice, overcome challenges, and maintain momentum. Knowledge from Finham Park 2 has been shared across the MAT, inspiring other schools to replicate successful initiatives and adopt energy-saving technologies. Plans to negotiate better tariffs for green energy further demonstrate the trust’s strategic approach. By combining practical measures, staff engagement, and monitoring tools, Finham Park MAT is embedding sustainability as part of everyday operations.
The results speak for themselves. In its first year of action, the trust reduced energy use by an average of 6% across eight schools, saving roughly £400 per week. Finham Park 2 alone saw energy consumption drop by 14% in the second term, with associated CO₂ emissions reduced by 25%. Improved lighting and heating efficiency have unlocked further savings, and the school is now targeting a 90% reduction in lighting-related carbon emissions.
Beyond cost and carbon savings, the initiative has strengthened staff and student engagement. Measurable outcomes from campaigns such as Switch-Off Fortnight have motivated wider participation, creating a culture where sustainability is part of daily routines. Sharing lessons across the trust ensures that individual successes benefit all eight schools, while the sustainability work group provides structure to maintain and expand these efforts.
By combining coordinated planning, practical actions, and data-driven monitoring, Finham Park MAT is delivering meaningful energy reductions, cutting costs, and embedding climate-conscious practices across its schools – a model that other multi-academy trusts can follow.
“We always had lots of ideas – now those ideas link closely with how we measure them. Let’s Go Zero is non-judgmental, supportive, and hugely productive. Every school should benefit from it.”
Will Keddie, Headteacher, Finham Park 2
Climate Action Advisors are experts, who offer free support for schools, colleges, and nurseries across England. We support schools to understand their carbon impact, make effective plans, and find funding and resources. We work with schools of any size, even those that are just starting their sustainability journey. We also spotlight local opportunities for how schools can work together.
Get in touch to find out how our Climate Action Advisors can start helping your school reach it’s climate goals today.
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