SuDS for Schools

SuDS in Schools

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can transform the way schools manage rainwater and Meristem Design has years of hands-on experience designing, installing and maintaining them.

As extreme weather becomes more frequent, school grounds are increasingly at risk of surface water flooding. According to government data, 66% of primary schools buildings and 83% of secondary schools buildings in England are at risk of surface-water flooding.

SuDS for Schools offer a nature-based solution that slow the flow of rainwater, filter out pollutants, and let water soak away naturally instead of overwhelming the drains.

At Meristem we work with schools, multi-academy trusts and local authorities across the UK to deliver SuDS schemes from initial site survey through to installation and aftercare.

Types of SuDS in Schools

SuDS features like planters, rain gardens, swales and permeable surfaces into school landscapes, we not only reduce flood risks but also create healthier, greener spaces where children can learn, play, and connect with nature.

SuDS Planters

SuDS Planters in schools connect directly to roof downpipes, collecting rainwater whilst providing engaging and fun features.

Rain Gardens

Vibrant and functional, rain gardens in schools capture surface water, preventing flooding and boosting biodiversity.

Hybrid Planters

Combining a rain garden and planter, the Hybrid SuDS Planter needs minimal excavation, causing less disruption.

Making SuDS fun in Schools

SuDS don't have to be purely functional. At Meristem Design, we strive to make every installation as fun and engaging as possible so they become one of the most loved features on a school site.

We design SuDS schemes with engagement built in from the start. That means planters and rain gardens with built-in seating for outdoor lessons, sensory planting that changes through the seasons, wildlife habitats that bring nature study to life, and interactive signage that helps pupils understand exactly where "their" rainwater goes.

By installing features that give them a visual way of understanding how they work, this not only improves their learning experience but enhances the look of the school ground.

Features can include: Boat races in water pipes, School children designed artwork, educational information boards, cascading water flows, bespoke water flow diverters, planted wall hoppers, clear downpipes and rain cloud inlets.

Fun engagement features for SuDS in Schools

Meristem Design focus on delivering custom SuDS systems that engage school children through fun, interactive, functional and flood-resilient features across the school grounds.

Planter seating and benches

Rain clouds and other fun graphics

Cascading downpipes

Planted downpipe hoppers

Interactive and educational signage

Wildlife habitats like bug hotels & ponds

Managing flooding for Schools

Playgrounds and hard-surfaced areas in schools estates are particularly vulnerable to flooding - with nowhere for rainwater to soak-away, even moderate storms can leave school grounds waterlogged or force lessons indoors.

Our SuDS planters, rain gardens and Hybrid SuDS Planter intercept that rainwater at source, storing it temporarily and releasing it slowly, taking the pressure off overloaded drains and sewers.

Every scheme we deliver is designed around your school's specific flood risk, ground conditions and drainage capacity.

We work alongside your Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and, where relevant, your local water company, to make sure the design meets current SuDS guidance and has long term resilience.

SuDS in Schools funding opportunities

Cost is one of the biggest barriers to schools tackling flooding. There are typically several routes schools and local authorities can use to fund SuDS projects, including grants such as the Department for Education's Schools Water Strategy scheme as well as funding channels via local authorities, water companies and Lead Local Flood Authorities as part of their surface water management plans.

Meristem Design can support you in navigating these funding routes and building a strong application. Our support includes:

Scope out flood risk and identify the right SuDS solution for the site
Identify relevant funding pots, including DfE and local authority schemes
Prepare technical documentation to support funding applications
Deliver the installation once funding is confirmed, from design to aftercare

Benefits of SuDS in Schools

For schools, the benefits go well beyond flood prevention. A well-designed SuDS scheme adds green space to the playground, supports biodiversity, and provides a ready-made outdoor classroom.

Connecting pupils to nature

SuDS bring wildlife and natural habitats into everyday school life, giving pupils regular contact with plants, water, and the creatures they attract. This everyday connection to nature has been shown to support children's wellbeing and environmental awareness from an early age.

Play and learning

A well-designed SuDS scheme doubles as an outdoor classroom, offering fresh opportunities for hands-on learning across the curriculum. From science to art, pupils can engage directly with the natural processes shaping their own school grounds.

Support climate resilience

As extreme weather becomes more common, SuDS give schools a practical, nature-based way to manage rainwater on-site. They also help pupils understand climate adaptation first-hand, turning their school grounds into a living example of sustainable design.

Creating healthier spaces

Green, planted drainage features improve air quality, reduce surface temperatures, and soften the look and feel of school grounds. The result is a more attractive, welcoming environment that supports both learning and wellbeing.