Rising waters | Rooted solutions
York rivers trail: schools and creativity - bringing rivers to life
York schools continue to help shape the York rivers trial, exploring rivers, flood resilience and nature through creative, hands-on learning.
York schools continue to shape the future of the York rivers trail, piloting their first lesson exploring rivers, flooding and nature-based solutions through interactive classroom sessions. Pupils have learned how rivers move, how floodplains work, and how trees, wetlands and leaky dams help slow water flow. Hands-on activities and experiments connected York’s rivers to real-world flooding, helping children understand upstream and downstream relationships.
At Poppleton Road Primary School, one of several York primary schools taking part, pupils explored how water moves, how nature helps slow the flow and how upstream and downstream places are connected.
This short film, created from photography by James Drury, captures moments from that session, where hands-on learning and creative thinking brough York’s rivers to life.
Creative sessions with artists from The Artery brought these lessons to life, with contributors including:
- artist, Jessica Jenyns
- illustrator, Adam Gill
- animator, Harry Stockdale
- actor, Jacob Ward
Using drama, illustration, animation and storytelling, children became rivers, trees and floodplains. They designed imaginative characters with “superpowers” linked to environmental functions such as slowing water and protecting habitats. These ideas will inform creative features along the trail, embedding student voices in both public spaces and digital experiences.
Insights from February’s school pilots are guiding refinement to classroom activities, creative sessions and the broader schools’ programme. Work continues with project partners to finalise both the physical and digital York rivers trail, ensuring it is engaging, educational and accessible. The trail is on track for a summer 2026 launch, and schools and community groups still can join and provide feedback.
By combining hands-on learning, creativity and public interpretation, the York rivers trail is helping students, residents and visitors understand rivers, flood resilience and more.
Also see
