Sunderland school better prepared for flooding

The Environment Agency has been helping Sunderland’s Springwell Village Primary School become better prepared for flooding after a rain garden planter was installed and the school’s pupils created a flood plan.

Also part of the programme, Northumbrian Water installed a rain planter, which captures and stores rainfall from the school’s roof, as part of its Rainwise initiative. It’s part of an Environment Agency initiative to help schools across the North East be better prepared for flooding.

Taryn Al-Mashgari, community engagement officer, said: “It’s important that younger people understand what flooding is, how it happens and what the different organisations that deal with flooding do. We also teach them how to prepare for and what to do during a flood in a series of interactive sessions where they design their own flood protection and describe how they would keep their favourite possessions safe. It’s absolutely devastating to be flooded and that’s why we are working with schools and our partners to educate our future generations about what they can do to keep themselves and their valuables safe.”