Knaphill School

Knaphill Federation of Schools, in collaboration with its PTA and Meristem Design, undertook a project to introduce more green spaces and encourage sustainability across the school grounds. The initiative focused on improving natural spaces and creating opportunities for pupils to grow plants and vegetables.

With over 80% of the school’s parents and carers wanting to see improvements to the green spaces and natural environment within the schools, the project’s main objective was to increase green spaces, promote biodiversity, and improve air quality around the school grounds, while fostering environmental awareness among students.

The initiative focused on installing 100m of green screening around the school grounds, including the large and smaller playgrounds, creating a natural space for the pupils.

One of the main targets identified by the school PTA was the lack of natural and green space in Knaphill Junior School. Further to this, the funding required to implement the desired screening was beyond the PTA’s annual fundraising capacity.  Local business Lansbury Business Estate, kickstarted the funding effort, donating £1000 to the overall project and the PTA undertook various fundraising activities to boost funds even further. The PTA funding proposal was then supported by Councilor Saj Hussain and with his referral, the remainder of the project funding was provided by Surrey County, through the Your Fund Surrey Small Community Projects fund.

The project focused on Meristem Design installing 100m of green screens along the walls and fences of the school during the summer holidays, adding natural beauty to the urban environment. These adaptable installations improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and offer a visually appealing alternative to fences or walls. For Knaphill, the benefits also include enhanced security from the nearby road, better screening from the staff car park, and new habitats to support biodiversity.

Following the green installation, Headteacher, Debbie Harrison and Vikki Zeila, The Eco and Sustainability Officer for the PTA, created a special event to unveil the new green screens when the children returned to school. The unveiling was marked by a special assembly featuring a biodiversity workshop by the Wildlife Aid Foundation and a message from wildlife expert Steve Backshall, MBE, congratulating the school on its commitment to nature.

The school has partnered with the Global Centre for Clean Air Research and joined Asthma + Lung UK’s Clean Air Champions programme to monitor the environmental benefits of the green screens. These efforts will help measure improvements in air quality while promoting a healthier, more sustainable environment for students.