‘It’s put the joy levels up’: the flood-prone London school with a climate-adapted playground
St John's Church of England primary school in Barnet has transformed its flood-prone playground into a climate-adapted space. The initiative, led by parent governor Sarah Taggart and supported by Trees for Cities, aims to mitigate flooding and enhance outdoor play. The new design includes rain gardens and educational programs to engage students with nature and climate issues.
- ▪The playground at St John's school used to flood severely, making it often unusable.
- ▪Funding from the Department for Education allowed for a redesign of the outdoor space to include sustainable drainage systems.
- ▪The project incorporates educational programs to teach children about nature and climate adaptation.
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Two pupils play in the climate-adapted playground at St John’s school. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The GuardianWhen pupils could no longer play outside, St John’s school in Barnet decided to act, enlisting Trees for Cities to help rethink its outside spaceBy Tom DugginsThu 21 May 2026 10.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 21 May 2026 10.02 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe play area at St John’s Church of England primary in Barnet, north London, used to flood so severely it was often unusable. “It would get so bad that the children couldn’t be dismissed from the playground,” says Maccie Dobbie, the school’s head teacher.
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