Taking Repton’s Energy to the Top of the Class

At Repton School, world-class education comes as standard and now, so does a world-class energy strategy. With dozens of buildings and a sprawling estate to manage, John Martindale, Director of Facilities, partnered with True Group to bring clarity, control and major savings to the school’s energy management.

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Too Many Buildings, Not Enough Visibility

Repton’s not your average school. With centuries of heritage, acres of campus and a timetable that runs well beyond the classroom, managing energy here means juggling multiple buildings, varied use patterns and a tangle of historic contracts.

From boarding houses to swimming pools, science blocks to sports halls, every space had its own quirks and consumption profile. Add in multiple supplies on different deals and John was working overtime to piece together a clear view of what was being used, where and when.

He needed a better deal AND a better handle on the entire estate.

“I needed a way to clearly see what was working across the site and know I was going to market at the right time.”

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From Headache to High Achiever

True Group stepped in like the digital Bursar John never knew he needed. First, we helped consolidate Repton’s energy supplies into a single, streamlined setup, making contract management smoother and setting the stage for smarter strategy.

Next came the timing. We worked with John to hit the market at just the right moment, fixing both power and gas contracts while switching the school to 100% REGO-backed renewable electricity.

But the real game-changer? Our Power BI reporting tools. Custom-built for Repton’s half-hourly metering estate, they delivered live, clear data across the campus, helping John monitor everything from BMS efficiency to out-of-hours pool usage.

No more spreadsheets. No more guesswork. Just real-time insight and solid strategy.

“It’s changed the way I manage energy across the estate. I’ve now got the insight to make better decisions and the data to back them up.”

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Extra Credit for Energy Housekeeping

John didn’t just stop at the big wins. With the help of True Group's Customer Support team, he ticked off a full list of behind-the-scenes improvements that deserve top marks for diligence.

We ran a full Meter Operator (MOP) and Data Collector (DC) review to make sure Repton wasn’t overpaying for metering contracts and knew exactly who was keeping an eye on their usage. A capacity and banding report across three key meters uncovered further savings!

Our Automated Meter Reading review checked which meters were still stuck in the dark ages and flagged opportunities to upgrade them for smarter tracking. When one electricity meter started misbehaving, we raised the fault with the supplier and stayed on it until it was replaced - no detention needed.

From resolving a gas meter reading dispute, to getting a new connection in the pipeline for a site expansion, to challenging an incorrect VAT rate, John’s had a little help from True Group’s support team to stay ahead of the curve and keep the school’s energy record squeaky clean.

Because even the best-run estates need someone to double-check the homework.

Building for the Future (with Brains and Solar Panels)

John’s work with True Group has laid the groundwork for long-term impact. With savings already in the bank, he’s now powering ahead with a forward-thinking sustainability programme that’s set to cut carbon, reduce reliance on the grid and upgrade the school’s energy profile, all while respecting the unique needs of a historic site.

This summer, Repton is planning to install voltage optimisation equipment that could save over 67,000 kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of 12 tonnes of carbon! Meanwhile, a tailored draught proofing solution (developed specifically to work with listed buildings) is expected to deliver over 1.5 million kWh in gas savings and cut around 305 tonnes of carbon each year.

And with solar PV arrays being explored for the sports hall roofs, (expected to generate over 285,000 kWh of clean electricity), the school is gearing up for a future that’s every bit as sustainable as it is smart.

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Top Marks All Round 

The numbers speak for themselves... and they’re all pointing in the right direction.

 £318k saved per year on electricity

£384k saved per year on gas

 30% drop in electricity costs

45% drop in gas costs

£9,000 in potential capacity savings

1.5m kWh gas savings forecasted (305 tCO₂)

What Success Looks Like

John’s turned energy management at Repton from a background task into a bold plan for progress.

With savings secured and major sustainability projects in motion, he’s proving that even listed buildings can lead the charge on efficiency… and do it with style!

Need a hand getting top marks in YOUR energy strategy? We can tutor you. Book an intro call.