Living wall installation in schools
Are you looking to install a little more greenery around your school building?
Do you want to improve students’ well-being and boost moods and productivity?
Are you in an urban area and wondering how you can bring life into tired-looking buildings and surroundings?
Let us help.
Living walls are increasing in popularity not just because of the numerous health benefits and the biodiversity they bring to areas but because they look great, and with the right plants for living walls, they can also bring out an array of smells to evoke your senses (and imagination).
In this post, we look at creating green walls in schools and some of the benefits these can bring to the community.
Living Walls in School
Within school environments, we know that you want to create areas and spaces that you can be proud of, and we understand the importance of pupils being involved in this creation process.
Living walls help to tick all of these boxes as you can look to enhance pupils’ learning environment and encourage them to get involved in creating the wall, selecting the plants and planting them, maintaining the living wall, accessing and analysing the benefits of the wall, and so much more.
It is also an opportunity to teach students about nature, the importance of biodiversity and pollination, and the improvements plants can bring to air quality and temperature control, helping to reduce our carbon footprint as well as reduce air pollutants.
Schools can also reap benefits such as:
Lower noise levels, as green walls help to provide a noise barrier between the outside and inside worlds, supporting students’ learning and reducing distractions so concentration is higher.
For more urban schools, green walls help to improve the image as you add colour and life to drab buildings and dark and dreary walls.
It also helps to provide children with hands-on learning, as they can be involved in plant selection, understanding why we choose the plants we do, the benefits they bring, and what they need to be maintained and kept healthy. Pupils can learn about air quality, improving biodiversity, food chains, nature, managing thermal temperatures, and the world around us.
Ultimately, living walls in school can be as interactive as you want them to be, and working with a professional green team like ourselves helps to ensure that you implement the right system for you with the most appropriate plants, planning, and not to forget, irrigation systems – all designed around your school.
Benefits of installing green walls in school
- It inspires learning as you improve the acoustics and make students feel happier around green spaces. Living walls can also help with stress and anxiety.
- Promotes a sense of community. Living walls are often large enough for all to see, and it’s not just pupils who benefit; it is the teachers, visitors to the school, parents who come with their children, etc.
- Studies show an improvement in well-being and creativity, as green walls can be seen as a source of inspiration.
- Improves students’ attention and behaviour which leads to an increase in productivity.
- Improve air quality – creating a healthier place to study and learn, which is vital for our young people.
- Boost the image while protecting your building from the elements. A nice thing to look at, living walls also help to protect buildings from external weather elements.
- Promote your green credentials and show that you care – don’t just say it, show it.
Points to Note
You must choose the right plants for the position of your green wall; for example, not all plants are cut out for densely shaded areas, just like not all plants like full sunlight.
Look to install a good irrigation system if possible, and if not, ensure a regular maintenance and watering schedule.
Installing green walls in school is a great solution when space is limited and outdoor areas are rare.
Could individual classes maintain and grow their own plants – providing them with a level of responsibility to look after what they have created?
Look to bring smells and a functional aspect to your living wall as well as bursts of colour. For example, could you introduce strawberries, lavender, rosemary, or thyme? Helping to meet sensory needs as well as support wildlife.
Check out our latest living wall installations for creative ideas and inspiration.
Living Walls UK
At Calathology, we work with a number of schools to help bring spaces to life. Whether this be a dedicated garden or recommendations for living wall plants to bring green spaces into urban areas.
We work with you hand in hand to turn your tired spaces into green ones.
Is there an area in your school that you would like to transform?
Speak to a member of our team today.
Call 07756 430 474 or email lee@calathology.co.uk