Supporting a sustainable future and reducing our carbon footprint forms a key part of our vision for all Transform Trust schools in Nottingham and Derby. This October, the trust concluded the roll-out of electric vehicle charge-points across all 26 primary schools - with Cantrell Primary and Nursery School in Bulwell being the final school to offer EV charging within the workplace.

Mrs Weaver, Cantrell’s Headteacher, said: “Supporting EV charging benefits all of us who work across the trust’s schools – and, of course, our environment. We would actively encourage other schools and community organisations to consider moving towards the use of electric cars as an economic way of travelling. We use them to get to and from school, travel between schools, and for attending off-site meetings and home visits.

“For Cantrell we see much more value in electric vehicle use than simply the practical solution it first seems” explained Mrs Weaver. “It is part of a much larger discussion about the world and our place in it which the children really enjoy and learn from. The subject has prompted enthusiastic conversations and exploration into the different ways we can look after our environment - and this will continue long into the future.”

Straightforward funding solutions

Funding for city schools has been secured via the Workplace Travel Service (WTS) offered by Nottingham City Council. Transform Trust schools outside the Nottingham City Council area have been able to access funding from the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

Rosslyn Park Primary and Nursery School in Aspley was the first Transform Trust school to be awarded a WTS grant for the installation of EV charge-points. “The grant application process was quick and easy. I would highly recommend it to any organisation interested in enhancing their staff benefits and reducing their environmental impact” commented Andy Mullahy, Rosslyn Park’s business manager.

Peter Saunders, Workplace Travel Service Manager at Nottingham City Council said “It has been tremendous working with many of Nottingham’s primary and nursery schools that care deeply about the environment and have used the opportunity of applying for a grant to support greener staff travel.  Transform Trust should be congratulated for leading the way as the first trust in the East Midlands to roll this out across their portfolio of 26 schools. We are here to help other schools interested in following their lead.”

Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see our Workplace Travel Service being used to add EV chargers and pool e-bikes to our city’s primary schools, helping staff travel to the school in a much greener, healthier way. By taking advantage of the funding that Nottingham City Council has secured, Transform Trust is playing an important part in reducing carbon emissions and improving local air quality across Nottingham. We want to help other schools in Nottingham follow this impressive lead."

Introducing electric vehicle charging to the schools has prompted much interest among the children, families, teachers and local community groups. It opens up discussion around a wide range of environmental issues for children in every school year - a major focus for Cantrell and, indeed, all of the Trust’s schools.