The Problem: Our School Is Getting Too Hot

Over the past few summers, temperatures in our classrooms and playground have risen dramatically. During heatwaves, classrooms can reach 32°C, making it difficult for children to concentrate, learn, and stay comfortable. 

Our playground is largely covered in heat-absorbing tarmac, which traps and radiates heat throughout the day. On the hottest days, this makes the outdoor space uncomfortable and sometimes unusable.

As our climate changes, these extreme conditions are becoming more common. Our school buildings and grounds simply weren’t designed for this new reality.

How we’ll spend the money raised

1. Plant more trees

Trees provide natural shade, cool the air, improve biodiversity, and create calmer, greener play spaces for pupils.

2. Install external blinds

External blinds will reduce direct sunlight entering classrooms, helping keep indoor temperatures lower so children can learn more comfortably during hot weather.

3. Replace heat-trapping tarmac with natural surfaces

Greener play areas stay cooler in summer while creating a more sensory, accessible environment — particularly beneficial for children with physical or neurodiverse needs.

How you can help

There are four simple ways you can support this project:

1. Make a donation

Every contribution helps us get closer to creating cooler, safer spaces for Belmont children.

• £40 — Helps fund eco-friendly planting and shaded green areas
• £250 — Funds a water butt to support sustainable watering
• £300 — Buys outdoor benches and seating for shaded areas
• £1,000 — Funds an external classroom blind

No donation is too small — every pledge makes a real difference.

2. Dedicate a tree

Donate £500 to dedicate one of our new trees with a personalised plaque.

Only 10 dedication opportunities are available.

3. Spread the word

Please share our campaign with friends, family, neighbours, employers, and your wider community. Every share helps us reach more supporters.

4. Volunteer your time or expertise

If you would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact us by email [email protected] using the subject:
“I want to volunteer my time or expertise.”

Who are we, and what is our project about?

Belmont Families is the Parent Teacher Association for Belmont Infant and Junior School, made up of volunteer parents, carers, and teachers who are passionate about enriching school life for every child.

Like many schools, Belmont Junior School must prioritise its limited budget toward essential day-to-day costs such as staffing, teaching resources, and building maintenance. Unfortunately, this leaves very little funding for environmental improvements.

But rising temperatures are already affecting children’s learning and wellbeing with the school closing for 2 afternoons last summer due to extreme conditions.

By crowdfunding together, we can take practical action now to create a cooler, greener school that supports children’s health, comfort, and education for years to come.

Every donation will help us make meaningful improvements that the school could not otherwise afford through its core budget alone.

We hope to begin planting and improvement works ASAP so the sooner we reach our goal, the sooner children can benefit.

A model for greener schools

This project is the first step in transforming Belmont into a climate-resilient school environment.

By introducing more trees, shade, and natural play spaces now, we hope to demonstrate how schools can adapt to rising temperatures in practical, child-friendly ways.

If successful, Belmont could become a model for creating cooler, healthier school environments across Haringey and beyond.

Join Our Community Effort

This project is about more than just cooling the playground. It’s about creating a healthier, greener environment for every child at Belmont Junior School. Thank you.