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New Wave (Primary)

Competition

Lessons

School trip

Inspire the next generation of changemakers in south-east England to become lifelong advocates for water protection.

Age range:

4-11 yrs

Subjects:

Geography, Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), Science

Countries:

England

Overview

Explore the water cycle, and learn how to save water and protect local networks, through engaging lessons and interactive assemblies.

Secondary school teacher? See our New Wave resources for students aged 11-16.

Win a workshop with author James Carter

Our new Water Protectors competition is here! Captivate your pupils with an assembly about the book Once Upon a Raindrop and the importance of water, then send them on a water-saving mission at home before challenging them to create drawings, comics or poems showing what they've learned. The most inspiring classroom display will win a whole-school workshop with author James Carter, plus a set of Once Upon a… books and reusable water bottles for the class.

Terms and conditions apply.

The children were enthusiastic! They loved it and didn't even realise they were doing science.

Primary school teacher

What you'll get

Register with New Wave to download our interactive lessons and assemblies.

The Water Protectors competition is a free geography and PHSE curriculum-linked challenge that helps KS2 pupils explore water conservation in a fun, creative, hands-on way.  This module contains the following resources:

  • PowerPoint presentation
  • Creative templates
  • Take-home pledge and tracking chart
  • Poster display

How it works

  1. Kick off with a 20-minute assembly, inspired by the book Once Upon a Raindrop and featuring a video reading from the author James Carter himself. 
  2. Send pupils home with our Water Tracker – they’ll track their water usage for one week. 
  3. Add up the total litres saved by your class – then bring it all to life with a colourful display of artwork or poems inspired by their week. 
  4. Send your class entry to newwave@nationalschoolspartnership.com. We can't wait to see their creativity (and water savings)! 

The most inspiring classroom display could win a whole-school workshop with author James Carter, plus a set of Once Upon a… books and reusable water bottles for the class.

Competition closes 30 June 2025. Terms and conditions apply.

Highly engaging and informative. Students loved the detectives idea and its local connection.

Primary school teacher

Resources

Start your New Wave journey now by downloading the following resources.

Primary Content Map

WasteWater Quest Assembly

WasteWater Quest Lesson

Water Detectives (West Sussex)

Water Detectives (Kent)

Water Detectives (East Sussex)

Water Detectives (Hampshire)

Water Detectives (Isle of Wight)

Water Protectors Competition Assembly

Invite a Southern Water expert to your school

The Southern Water team will explore water conservation in a fun, informative assembly for your whole school. Choose between a Waterwise or Sewerwise talk, featuring the Water Protectors or WasteWater Quest assembly options.

Free tour of Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works

Free tour of Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works

Discover what happens when you flush the loo or wash the dishes with this fun tour led by the Southern Water team, including an interactive 'slow the flow' experience. Travel bursaries available for schools within an hour of Brighton.