Students at Ark Alexandra Academy are playing a key role in an innovative environmental project designed to make the school site greener, more sustainable and better prepared for the challenges of climate change.
Earlier this year, students in Compass took part in an interactive workshop as part of the SuDS for Schools programme, an initiative focused on introducing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) into school environments. The project combines environmental improvements with hands-on learning opportunities, giving students the chance to help shape the future of their school grounds.
Sustainable Drainage Systems are designed to manage rainwater in a more natural way. Rather than allowing water to flow directly into drains, SuDS features such as planters and water butts capture, store and gradually release rainwater. This helps reduce the risk of flooding, improves water quality and supports local biodiversity.
During the workshop, students explored the importance of sustainable water management and learned how plants and soil can be used to filter and store water naturally. They also contributed ideas for how these new green spaces could look and function within the school environment.
Following a detailed survey of the academy site, the project team identified 14 locations for SuDS planters and seven locations for water butts. Many of the planters will be positioned near downpipes to collect rainwater directly from rooftops, while water butts will store water for future use around the school.
The project will deliver a range of environmental benefits, including improved flood resilience, increased biodiversity and additional green spaces for students and staff to enjoy. The new features will also create valuable opportunities for outdoor learning linked to science, geography and environmental studies.
Installation is planned during term time, allowing students to witness the transformation firsthand and continue their involvement in the project.
The initiative represents an exciting step forward in Ark Alexandra Academy’s commitment to sustainability and demonstrates how practical environmental action can create lasting benefits for both students and the wider community.
