But an Islington primary school that uses its very own pond to teach pupils about wildlife fears that opportunity could be lost if it can’t carry out urgent repairs.
Tufnell Park Primary School’s 25-year-old pond – a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation – is leaking away, and its pond-dipping platform is collapsing and becoming unusable.
Last spring, the school lost all its tadpoles due to a lack of water.
“If we can’t restore the pond this winter, we’ll miss another breeding season,” said Natalie Hitchcock, volunteer pond garden co-ordinator at the school.
“That means no newt, toads or frogs, no tadpoles, and no meaningful pond-based learning in the spring. It’s not just the children who lose out—it’s the entire ecosystem our wildlife garden supports.”
The school has launched a fundraising campaign to restore its much-loved pond and garden, which supports hundreds of children’s access to nature and hands-on science education in the heart of Islington.
Working with national conservation charity Froglife, it has also launched a short video sharing the story and the impact it’s having on local children.
It has already raised £4,500 in materials through grants and needs just £5,000 more to cover the specialist installation work.
Now it is appealing to the local community, businesses, and donors to help.
Headteacher Martin Scarborough said: “This pond is a unique and a powerful learning space where our pupils experience real curiosity, calm, and connection with the natural world.
“As an inner-London school, we’re incredibly lucky to have this. As our school grows to welcome potentially up to 600 children in the coming years, this kind of outdoor learning will be more important than ever.
“This restoration is a purposeful investment in the wellbeing and education of every child in our community.”
Anyone who wishes to donate can contact Anne Jaluzot, pond garden co-ordinator, on 07533438482 or annejaluzot@hotmail.com.
