Geothermal plays key role in greening campaign of South Yorkshire, UK primary school
Aerial shot of borehole drilling at Marshland Primary Academy for Ground Source Heat Pump installation (source: Kensa)
Carlo Cariaga
2 May 2025
The Marshland Primary Academy in South Yorkshire, England has secured a stable energy supply combining geothermal heat pumps and solar PVT technology.
The Marshland Primary Academy, a primary school located in the village of Moorends in South Yorkshire, has just completed the installation of a hybrid geothermal and solar system. The system now secures the heating supply for the school, while massively boosting the facility’s energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions by almost 80%.
The six-month project was partially funded by the UK Government’s Condition Improvement Fund, which seeks to keep school buildings safe and in good working order.
Hybrid technology improves energy efficiency
Working with ground source heat pump manufacturer and installer Kensa, the school has overhauled its old heating and hot water system and replaced its aging gas boilers with seven new ground source heat pumps. Geothermal heat is supplied to these heat pumps by a field of 18 boreholes, each drilled to a depth of around 127 meters.
Another key component of the system is the use of solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels, which captures excess thermal energy while also generating electricity from solar energy. The thermal heat energy is removed by the PVT panels and transferred to the ground source heat pump system, further reducing electricity use and improving efficiency. The removal of excess thermal heat from the panels also increases the amount of electricity they can produce compared to standard solar PV panels.
“We’re proud to have worked with Marshland Primary Academy to deliver a more sustainable and efficient heating system. Thanks to a mix of super-efficient ground source heat pumps and other energy efficiency upgrades, pupils and teachers will enjoy warm classrooms while slashing their carbon footprint,” added Wouter Thijssen, Commercial Director at Kensa.
“By opting for ground source heat pumps, boosted by solar PVT, the school has secured its long-term energy future, setting the benchmark for achieving sustainability in UK schools. Kensa’s mission is to deliver better heating, and this installation certainly lives up to that promise.”
Kensa has been active in installing ground source heat pump systems in other schools in the UK, including the Stamfordham Primary School in Northumberland, the Ffynnon Taf Primary School in South Wales, and the Richmond Hill Primary School in Doncaster.
A secure and low-cost energy supply
Investing in energy efficiency upgrades has provided the Marshland Primary Academy with a low-cost, low-maintenance, renewable heating system, providing long-term savings while securing a stable and reliable energy source.
“It has been an exciting journey watching and learning about the innovative ground source heating. Although the children had to sacrifice their field for the summer, they enjoyed watching the holes being bored and learning from Kensa staff how the system worked,” said Penny Marshall, Acting Principal at Marshland Primary Academy.
“Energy efficiency and helping the environment is a big focus at Marshland, so it is exciting to be able to know that we are playing a small part in a much bigger picture by using natural resources to heat our school. This winter has been a toasty one at Marshland!”
A short video feature on the GSHP and PVT installation prepared by Kensa can be viewed below:
Source: Kensa
