During 2022 Groundwork will be inviting schools and uniformed youth groups to join us once again at the River Lea in Luton for Junior River Wardens. 

As part of the Environment Agencies ‘resilient and adaptive communities’ programme young people will have the opportunity to explore ideas around the impact of climate change on local river systems.

Junior River Wardens is an engagement project that will give local children an appreciation of the dynamic nature of rivers, their function as an urban biodiversity hot spot and their benefit to the local population.  Pupils will get to consider what will happen if the climate were to change and rainfall and run-off increases.

The outcomes of the project are:

• To understand that rivers are part of active drainage basins and react quickly to changes in rainfall.
• To appreciate rivers as places of rich biodiversity, that support both terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals.
• To identify the signs and symptoms of pollution in urban rivers.
• To recognise the benefits that rivers offer to the local population in terms of recreation and wellbeing.

Who can become a Junior River Warden?

The Junior River Wardens sessions are open to all pupils in Key Stages 2 – 4 (ages 7 to 16) and will be tailored to suit the age group.  Teachers can also request a specific focus for their river trip based on the requirements of the curriculum.  Sessions usually last for half a day (either before or after lunch).

Your JRW package

You can expect the following:

• An activity to complete in school before your session – to gauge existing knowledge
• A health walk from your school to the river
• Water quality testing and observations of river morphology and flow
• A study of the animal life in the river
• Observational drawing of the river site
• A piece of illustrated writing to complete after the visit

Teacher training CPD

All teaching staff are also offered a free after hours CPD session at the river.  A great session for thinking about managing risk on field trips, how to use an outdoor learning space, how to run a field trip and the benefits to pupils of outdoor learning.

To book your places, please contact Rosie Cliffe on:  07736 134135 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.