London School Transforms Flood-Prone Playground Into Climate Haven
St John's primary in Barnet redesigns its waterlogged play area into a climate-adapted space, solving flooding issues while boosting student wellbeing and outdoor learning opportunities.
When the children at St John's Church of England Primary School in Barnet, north London, looked out at their play area during rainy weather, they saw not an inviting space for outdoor recreation, but rather a sprawling, unusable pond. The severe flooding issues that plagued the playground meant that outdoor playtime—a crucial part of childhood development and mental wellbeing—was frequently cancelled, forcing staff to dismiss pupils from classrooms and hallways instead of the playground itself.
The situation had become increasingly untenable for the school community. Head teacher Maccie Dobbie recalls the challenging circumstances that prompted action: "It would get so bad that the children couldn't be dismissed from the playground. We had to dismiss them from different parts of the school or, literally, parents were stepping into puddles to lift their children out of the classroom." This scenario highlighted not only a practical inconvenience but also raised concerns about health and safety, as well as the impact on students' access to essential outdoor time and physical activity.
The geographical and geological circumstances of St John's location contributed significantly to the drainage problems. Situated in a natural basin with dense clay foundations beneath the surface, the school's grounds are particularly susceptible to water accumulation. Rainfall management became nearly impossible as precipitation would collect on the existing grey tarmac surface, creating pools of standing water that persisted for extended periods. This meant that after even moderate rainfall, the playground would remain unusable for hours or even days, severely limiting children's opportunity to benefit from outdoor play and exercise.
