Supporting sustainability with EV charger installation at New Leaf School
In April 2026, our Electrical Division at Midland Fire delivered a new EV charging installation at New Leaf School in Walsall, part of the Mercian Trust. This project was carried out to support the trust’s sustainability objectives and provide a safe and compliant charging station for their staff’s electric vehicles.
At Midland Fire, we design and install EV charging solutions for a wide range of organisations across the Midlands. As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, we’ve now worked with many clients, including schools and universities, that are looking to meet this demand whilst reducing their environmental impact through new EV charging infrastructure.
Earlier this year, we were approached by the Mercian Trust, who were looking to achieve just that at New Leaf School. The main reasons for the installation were to help them reach ongoing environmental goals and give them a means to power their new electric minibus. For them, as for any organisation, EV charging points are a way to help reduce carbon emissions, improve local air quality and support the global transition to cleaner transport methods.
We completed this project in close collaboration with New Leaf School’s leadership team, including Deputy Headteacher Edward Lea:
We would like to thank Midland Fire Security Services for the professionalism shown throughout the project and the high quality of the EV charger installation.
From the initial consultation through to completion, the process was well managed, clear and efficient. The work was carried out to a very high standard, with minimal disruption, and the team were knowledgeable, approachable and reliable at every stage.
We would highly recommend Midland Fire Security Services.
Edward Lea, Deputy Headteacher @ New Leaf School
New Leaf School, Walsall
New Leaf School is an Alternative Provision Academy and part of the Mercian Trust, a multi-academy trust comprising nine schools and over 10,000 students across Walsall and Sandwell. The trust proudly works to improve the outcomes of all their students, particularly those who are under-served and under-resourced, as part of their social mobility mission.
Alongside this purpose, the trust prioritises sustainability through a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy across all its schools. This includes installing solar panels, implementing modern waste management services and introducing EV charging infrastructure – which is where we come in.
EV charger installation at New Leaf School
The project
For this project, our team was tasked with the installation of one wall-mounted EV charger in the school’s main car park. We completed the work in the following steps:
- Full electrical site assessment to confirm available capacity, cable routes and protection requirements.
- Installation of 1 × Project EV 22kW Pro Earth AC wall-mounted EV charger with dual 32A Type 2 sockets and RFID access control.
- Installation of a new 3-phase dedicated EV distribution board in the mains cupboard, complete with a surge protection device and adjacent 63A RCD.
- Installation of new mains cabling from the existing LV panel to the new distribution board, protected by fuses. The cabling was armoured with external galvanised containment for a durable and safe electricity supply.
- Electrical testing in accordance with current regulations and best practice, including insulation resistance testing, earth fault loop impedance testing and RCD verification.
- EV charger point commissioning and handover.
The challenges
Working at New Leaf School required careful planning, strict safety controls and clear communication with the school’s leadership team. Thanks to our experience working within school environments, this wasn’t a problem for us.
All Midland Fire engineers are enhanced DBS checked and fully trained to work in education environments. We planned all works to take place during the school holidays to minimise disruption and maintain safeguarding standards throughout the project.
The result
Following our work, New Leaf School now benefits from a safe and fully compliant EV charging station, complete with dedicated EV electrical infrastructure, including RCD and surge protection.
The Project EV charger was chosen for its capability to fast-charge two vehicles simultaneously, which is perfect as staff and visitors can plug in their cars at the same time as the school’s new electric minibus.
Above all, the addition of EV chargers at New Leaf demonstrates a commitment to their staff as well as the future of the school, boosting employee satisfaction and proving they’re prepared to adapt and prioritise the local environment.
EV charger grants for schools and educational institutions
Heard of the Workplace Charging Scheme? There’s good news: OZEV has also set up a separate scheme for state-funded schools and educational institutions with even more generous funding for EV charger installation.
In 2026/27, educational institutions can get 75% off the cost to buy and install charge points up to a maximum of:
- £2,000 per socket,
- 40 sockets across all sites (per institution).
You’ll need to use an OZEV-approved installer like Midland Fire to qualify, and our team can handle the whole process for you, from checking eligibility to redeeming the grant.
Looking for EV charger installation in Walsall and the Midlands?
We provide expert commercial EV charger installation and maintenance across the Midlands. Supporting contractors, commercial clients and public sector organisations of all shapes and sizes, our experienced Electrical Division can help you, whatever your business.
We also provide a range of fire safety and security services, and we’ll work with you to plan and deliver the optimum solutions bespoke to your premises.
At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. For more information and a free consultation, contact Midland Fire Security Services Ltd.
