Climate Resilient Schools GLA

The Climate Resilient Schools Programme was set up to support up to 100 primary and secondary schools across London adapt to climate change and build their resilience. Led by the Greater London Authority (GLA), in collaboration with the Department for Education (DfE) and Thames Water, the project prioritised schools most at risk of surface water flooding. Meristem Design was awarded the contract to design, build, and install SuDS rain planters, providing vital flood mitigation and educational benefits. Overall, Meristem delivered 564 SuDS planters in 72 of the schools and the programme was awarded the prestigious Flood and Coast Excellence Awards in 2023.

To install Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) rain planters across flood-prone schools, improving drainage, reducing surface water runoff, and enhancing green infrastructure. The project also aimed to educate pupils on climate resilience, sustainability and the importance of nature in combating global warming.

Meristem Design delivered 564 SuDS rain planters across 72 schools. Priority was given to the top 10% of schools facing the highest surface water flood risk and falling within the most severe bands of the Climate Risk Map. These planters:

• Capture and store rainwater from rooftops
• Reduce strain on drainage systems and lower flood risk
• Provide educational opportunities on climate resilience
• Enhance school environments with biodiversity and greenery

According to City Hall over a fifth of all London schools suffer from rainwater flooding, causing playing fields to be waterlogged. When the water enters the buildings then this can cause a school to close down completely. Due to the ever increasing volatility of our climate change we are experiencing heavier and more frequent rainfall, therefore flooding is only going to get worse.

Across the UK in one year alone flooding in schools cost over £12m in damages and resulted in 400,000 lost pupil days.  Those were the last record figures and are from 2007, we expect today’s figures to be at least double those.

Meristem Design’s SuDS rain planters provided a practical and scalable solution to manage rainwater runoff and slow the flow of surface water on the school grounds. By managing runoff and capturing stormwater, as well as filtering pollutants, SuDS planters improve the quality of surface water flowing into streams and rivers. Based on a living ecological system, SuDS planters also bring amenities and biodiversity to new and existing spaces.

The implementation of the SuDS planters has brought numerous benefits to these climate-resilient schools. By incorporating biophilic design principles, these planters create a harmonious blend of nature and built environments, fostering a sense of connection with the natural world.