Award-Winning Rain Garden Finds Permanent Home at London Primary School – Tackling Flood Risk & Inspiring Future Generations
- Flood-Resilient Design Meets Education: The award-winning Rain Garden, now permanently located at Coppermill Primary School, showcases how smart landscaping can tackle flood risk while creating a peaceful, shaded space for children and teachers.
- A Living Classroom for Future Generations: Featuring sustainable water management and biodiversity-friendly design, the garden offers hands-on learning opportunities that connect pupils to nature and promote environmental awareness.
- Backed by Flood Re to support its Build Back Better Initiative: Sponsored by Flood Re, the garden demonstrates practical, scalable solutions for flood resilience in urban communities.
London 26 September – A striking, flood-resilient Rain Garden – winner of a Gold Medal at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival – has been permanently relocated to Coppermill Primary School in Walthamstow, London. The garden, designed to combat the flood issues experienced by the school, now doubles as a calming, shaded sanctuary for pupils and teachers alike.
Nestled near the Walthamstow Wetlands, the garden showcases how smart design can protect communities while enriching lives. It offers a hands-on learning space where children can explore nature, understand flood resilience, and enjoy a peaceful environment that supports wellbeing and play.
Created by designer John Howlett and rebuilt by Acacia Gardens with the help of volunteers, the Japanese-inspired garden features monochromatic planting, a sculptural pergola, and shaded seating. At its centre, a large swale with permeable Corten steel walkways demonstrates sustainable water management, linking the school to the surrounding wetlands and encouraging biodiversity.
A Living Classroom for Climate Resilience
Sponsored by Flood Re – the joint initiative between the UK Government and the insurance industry – the garden is a powerful example of how green infrastructure can slow, absorb, and redirect water to reduce flood risk. It shows a working example of Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme, which offers up to £10,000 to eligible homeowners for flood resilience measures.
Kelly Ostler-Coyle, Director of Corporate Affairs at Flood Re, commented:
“We’re proud to see the Rain Garden take root at Coppermill Primary School. It’s more than just a beautiful space – it’s a practical, educational tool that will help hundreds of children understand the importance of flood resilience. Moreover, it shows how simple solutions can help to prevent flooding by building back better.”
John Howlett, garden designer said:
“I’m thrilled to see my RHS Gold medal-winning garden find its forever home at Coppermill Primary School. Every child deserves access to a beautiful green space. I hope this garden sparks curiosity, supports mental health, and becomes a place of joy and calm for generations to come.”
Figen Bektasoglu, Head Teacher, Coppermill Primary School added:
“The Rain Garden has transformed a corner of our school into a peaceful, shaded haven where children can learn, play, and connect with nature. It’s not just beautiful – it’s a powerful tool for teaching our pupils about climate resilience and the importance of protecting our environment.”