Turning compliance into climate action for King’s College School.

King’s College School was founded in 1829 on the Strand and relocated to Wimbledon in 1897. Today, the estate spans nearly 20 acres on the south side of Wimbledon Common, blending its Victorian heritage with modern, upgraded facilities. The school recently completed a ten-year infrastructure masterplan to modernise and enhance its campus and engaged us to help define the next stage of its estate development.

What you need to know

We had supported King’s College School with energy procurement for several years, so when the school needed to comply with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Phase 3, we were ready to assist. The size of the estate and number of meters made ESOS compliance particularly complex. We conducted the audit, collated and calculated the data, and delivered a comprehensive report that went beyond legal requirements by identifying multiple energy-saving opportunities, equating to 410,000 kWh and 76.7 tCO2e.

Keen to leverage opportunities to improve energy efficiency, the school commissioned a Heat Decarbonisation Plan (HDP), to gain a thorough assessment of the costs and risks associated with transitioning away from fossil-fuelled heating to Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP). For schools with listed or historically significant buildings like King’s, decarbonisation can be challenging. Single glazing, original pipework and cast-iron radiators often limit straightforward retrofits. The HDP enabled the school to understand the costs involved and plan effectively.

To further explore potential energy savings, we were also asked to conduct a Solar PV feasibility study. Our report enabled the school to evaluate the costs and return on investment of implementing renewable energy.

Finally, we undertook an Electrical Load Analysis to evaluate the school’s existing electrical infrastructure, determine the impact of heat pump installations, and estimate the level of capital investment required to make the necessary upgrades. This insight was essential for future planning. With six substations, the school needed to understand the impact of any future building work.

Why it matters

Like many independent schools, King’s must balance several key considerations to manage its estate effectively. Government compliance requirements, the need to deliver an exceptional student experience, and the preservation of historic buildings all create challenges for cost-effective decarbonisation and future site development. To make informed decisions, the school needed accurate, data-driven insights.

For King’s College School, ESOS compliance was the foundation for a strategic, long-term approach to energy and estate planning. By pairing compliance with detailed decarbonisation assessments, the school now has a clear roadmap for reducing carbon emissions, prioritising investments, and protecting its historic buildings for generations to come.

What difference it made

King’s is setting a benchmark within the independent schools sector, demonstrating how heritage estates can move confidently toward net zero. By analysing everything from equipment and infrastructure to future capacity needs, we identified practical, costed steps the school can take to reduce carbon emissions and guide the school’s strategic estate development plan.

• 89 energy saving opportunities (HDP) identified
• 26 pieces of gas-fuelled equipment planned for decarbonisation
• 6 substations and associated electricity meters mapped and analysed
• 5 detailed electrical schematic drawings developed

Every estate is unique. That’s why we work with you to find the right solutions for your buildings, your budget, and your future.