Haringey schools to receive to receive funding for energy bills

Climate-conscious Haringey schools will receive vital funding to cut their utility bills and improve energy efficiency. The Brook Special Primary School and The Willow Primary School – both situated on the Broadwater Farm estate – and Risley Avenue Primary School in Tottenham have been chosen to receive support through the Mayor of London’s Greener Schools initiative. A total of 38 schools across 16 London boroughs will benefit from the £2.9m pilot programme, enabling them to introduce a variety of targeted interventions. These measures include the installation of solar panels and heat pumps, supporting sustainable energy solutions. Haringey Council has secured £80,000 for a solar installation at Risley Avenue Primary School, while The Brook and The Willow have been awarded £98,000 for solar panels on their roofs. Additional funding will come from the council’s Carbon Offset contribution, collected by the Planning Service to support carbon reduction projects across the borough. Cllr Mike Hakata, cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport and Cllr Zena Brabazon, cabinet member for children, schools and families, said: “We're passionate about tackling the climate emergency and helping our schools transition to net zero. We are delighted to have secured this funding from the Mayor of London. "This important investment will have multiple benefits for our Tottenham schools, where this investment is most needed. It will significantly reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, directly freeing up thousands of pounds that can be redirected to frontline teaching, essential learning materials, books and enrichment activities for our pupils. They continued: “Children will also be active participants in this sustainable transformation, gaining valuable first-hand experience of how climate action works in practice. This represents much more than environmental improvements—it's about investing in both our children's education today and their healthier future. It's another fantastic example of us working in partnership with the community to address their priorities while taking meaningful action on the climate emergency that benefits everyone.” Dawn Ferdinand, Sarah Harris and Maureen Duncan, headteachers at Willow Primary School and The Brook Special Primary School, added: “We are very excited to be one of the 25 schools participating in this amazing project. The installation of solar photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, will greatly lower our energy costs. The savings generated will be reinvested into teaching and learning resources, enhancing classroom experiences for students. “Being part of this project will also give us an opportunity to educate our pupils and the wider school community about sustainability and also promote greener schools. We have won the Eco Schools award and are fully committed to being ambassadors for London Greener Schools.”