SES Water is marking World Teacher’s Day by highlighting the work of colleagues who help bring water to life for local schoolchildren at its award-winning interactive education centre.
Flow Zone, SES Water’s state-of-the-art education centre run by former teachers at Bough Beech Reservoir and Water Treatment Works, is an interactive experience to teach pupils in year 3 and above about the water treatment process and strategies to be more sustainable in their water use.
Flow Zone sessions are run by a team of former teachers. Lisa Downes, Education Coordinator at SES Water, said: “I am Education Coordinator and work alongside my Education Tutors Anna, Chris and Beki. We are all ex primary school teachers which is a real strength of our education provision at SES Water.
The team here at Flow Zone take great pride in what we do. We love meeting teachers and pupils and having an opportunity to give them a unique, fun day to remember but also giving them new knowledge, whether it be different ways that they can save water, or for older students bringing the GCSE potable water topic to life.
The start of this academic year has already been a busy time for us and we have received some wonderful feedback from the teachers.”
Flow Zone prides itself on being fun, accessible and interactive, whilst teaching visitors about the water cycle, the history of the reservoir, local geography and the treatment processes used at water treatment works. Learning reaches far beyond the classroom in a Flow Zone visit. Pupils are taken on a guided walk where they get to climb the large dam and walk through a 133m tunnel under the reservoir.
In the second session, pupils have a tour of the treatment works and view first-hand the different processes used. The visit concludes in the ‘Blue Zone’ where pupils play hands-on interactive games to help them learn how to save water in their everyday lives.
From schools to community groups, every year the knowledgeable Flow Zone team help thousands of people of all ages understand more about where water comes from and why it’s so important to use it wisely.
Holland Junior School said: “We have been visiting Bough Beech for many years. Not only do the children find it fascinating to see the water treatment process and the equipment that is used, us teachers also take away lots from the visit too! We were all surprised to learn about how much water we waste every-day in this country. It was a real eye-opener and something that will definitely influence my approach to saving water in the future.”
Whyteleafe Primary School said: “All staff were amazing with the children, gave the children lots of interesting information and it was a very visual and interactive day. Thank you so much!”
Glebe School said: “Really fabulous day. Loads to see, learn about and do! Wonderful teachers. Pupils and staff had a great day!”
The education centre has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge which endorses high-quality learning and standards of practice.
All school and community activities are free of charge.
For more information about Flow Zone visit https://www.seswater.co.uk/your-environment/environment-projects/our-education-programme