Wargrave House School go green with new electric minibus

Wargrave House School in Newton-Le-Willows is going green after purchasing a brand-new electric minibus.

The school recently received a generous sum of money donated by the parent of a former pupil. The pupil attended the school in the 1970s, and it seems Wargrave House School left a lasting impression on the pupil and their family.

Staff were delighted by the news and quickly devised how to use the funds to support their sustainability strategy and foster a greener environment for pupils. 

The new electric minibus joins a fleet of seven other vehicles.  

Wargrave House School is committed to becoming more sustainable and has made strides to move towards more environmentally friendly practices. 

Electric vehicles, proven to have lower running costs, mean the school can spend less on fuel and use the money towards other aspects of the school, including pupil wellbeing and enrichment opportunities.

Carl Glennon, headteacher at Wargrave House School, said: “At Wargrave, our learning environment is underpinned by our ethos to foster a sense of community and care amongst our students, staff, and parents/carers. We are thrilled that our work has left such a lasting impression on this family 50 years later. 

“We wanted to use the donation for something that would benefit our pupils and help us on our mission to become more sustainable. The lower running costs, reduced noise pollution, and renewable electricity tariffs were really important factors we considered when choosing the minibus.

“The environmental crisis is very real, and we must all do our part to go green. The minibus is one of several initiatives we have implemented at the school to help build a brighter, more sustainable future.”

The minibus will transport students to activities, events, and enrichment opportunities. Enrichment opportunities form a vital part of the school’s curriculum, so having the means to transport pupils safely is imperative.  

Through a dynamic and holistic approach, the school develops individual student learning pathways that offer a bespoke experience for pupils. 

Wargrave House School is part of the Remarkable Autism Charity. The charity has a range of initiatives, including Wargrave House School, Ascent Autism Specialist College, Sundial Therapy, and the Pre-Loved Project. 

Robin Bush, CEO of the Remarkable Autism Charity, said: “As an organisation, we are always conscious about our social, environmental, and economic impact. 

“In 2021, we launched the Pre-Loved Project, a community enterprise rooted in a commitment to sustainability. The project has been awarded funding from Merseyside Waste and Recycling Authority for two years running. The latest funding supports the launch of new workshops for community members.  

“Learners at Wargrave House School and Ascent Autism College benefit from access to the Pre-Loved Project, where they can develop a deeper understanding of sustainability and the environment.”

For more information on Wargrave House School visit: https://www.wargravehouse.com