For many Multi-Academy Trusts, sustainability presents a difficult challenge.
Energy costs remain unpredictable, expectations around carbon reduction continue to increase, and the Department for Education is placing greater emphasis on sustainability across the education sector.
While many organisations recognise the need to act, knowing where to start can be less straightforward.
Hope Learning Community Trust chose to take a proactive approach.
Rather than waiting for future requirements, the Trust worked with us to develop a renewable energy strategy across multiple schools, designed to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability performance and strengthen long-term financial resilience.
Looking beyond energy savings
The decision was never just about generating electricity.
For the Trust, reducing operational costs creates greater opportunity to invest where it matters most.
As CEO Gary Smith explained:
“Any money that we don’t spend on bills, we can invest in the future for the children. Better resources, more teachers, more support staff. So that’s a win-win.”
This perspective helped shape the project from the outset, viewing renewable energy as a strategic investment rather than simply an environmental initiative.
Turning strategy into reality
Delivering renewable energy infrastructure across multiple schools requires careful planning, coordination and a clear understanding of how each site operates.
Working closely with the Trust, installations were delivered across the estate within a defined programme, ensuring minimal disruption while maintaining ambitious timelines.
Trust Premises Manager Alby Chable commented:
“Insight have actually been incredible because the deadlines have been hit. Their attention to detail and to deadlines has been remarkable for us.”
The results were visible immediately. Within the first week of operation, one site generated 61% of its electricity from solar energy.
A blueprint for other trusts
One of the most notable aspects of the project was the Trust’s willingness to act before external pressures made change unavoidable.
As Chloe Jennings, CFO/COO, explained:
“The DfE are going, in 2027, to push us to be more sustainable. We decided to take the leap before we got pushed.”
That decision has enabled Hope Learning Community Trust to create a practical model that other trusts can learn from, demonstrating how sustainability, financial resilience and educational investment can work together.
As Chloe concluded:
“We wanted to do something a little bit different, a bit outside the box, and basically create a blueprint for other trusts.”
A blueprint in practice
Explore the full Hope Learning Community Trust portfolio to see how the strategy was implemented across individual schools, including project outcomes, performance data and site-specific case studies.