A proven solution for schools, universities, and education centres across the UK.

Green roofs are becoming a key feature of education buildings in the UK. Schools, colleges, and universities are under pressure to reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity and deliver visible sustainability. Green roofs support these outcomes and create healthier, more inspiring environments for students and staff.

Wallbarn’s M-Tray® modular green roof system was designed and manufactured in the UK. It is sustainable, high performance and low maintenance. The modular system simplifies installation and future access, which is critical for a future-proof system.

Why choose a green roof for education buildings
• Supports biodiversity and creates green corridors for pollinators
• Helps manage rainwater and mitigate flood risk, SuDS compliant
• Reduces the urban heat island effect
• Improves air quality and thermal efficiency of buildings
• Enhances the appearance and appeal of the education centre
• Demonstrates a visible, long-term commitment to sustainability
• Provides a living resource for teaching and learning, allowing pupils to use the roof for curriculum subjects such as Geography, Biology and Environmental Science through fieldwork, data collection and observation

Why modular works better

Wallbarn’s M-Tray® is a UK designed, patented modular system. Traditional roll out systems require multiple layers installed in stages. M-Tray® arrives pre-grown and ready to place, which makes for a dramatically faster installation.

• Simplified logistics for tight deadlines and restricted access
• Pallets can be craned to the roof and trays are carried by hand into position
• No heavy machinery or complex staging during install reducing health and safety risks.
• Pre-grown trays provide immediate visual impact
• Futureproofed access to the waterproofing membrane by lifting individual trays
• Fully fire tested to BS EN 13501-1 BROOF(t4) with independent certification from Warrington Fire (See Report)

A proven system, Turing House School case study

For the Turing House School in Twickenham, over 1,500m² of M-Tray® wildflower green roof was supplied across multiple roof levels. Working with industry leaders, Wallbarn delivered a fast and efficient solution. The modular trays ensured the roof could be completed quickly, provided immediate ecological value, and were integrated around PV panels to further boost the building’s sustainability. Designed to protect the waterproofing, support BREEAM targets and offer an educational resource for pupils. See more details on our case study for this project.

Sustainable from the ground up

M-Tray® is designed with sustainability at every stage, from manufacture to installation and even end of life.
• Trays made from recycled & recyclable polypropylene
• Engineered substrate uses premium recycled aggregates and meets BS 8616:2019
• Plants grown in our UK nursery with a minimum twelve month establishment period
• At end of life, all elements can be removed and recycled

Wallbarn offers both a sedum and a sedum with wildflower option. The wildflower mix has been chosen to enhance biodiversity and seasonal colour. Species such as Birdsfoot Trefoil, which supports more than 160 invertebrate species including bees and moths, and Cowslip, which provides a valuable early nectar source for pollinators, help demonstrate the ecological value of a biodiverse green roof.

These features mean M-Tray® can help projects demonstrate biodiversity benefits. While not a direct credit in planning terms, biodiverse green roofs are recognised as contributing towards Biodiversity Net Gain objectives and can improve scores under the Urban Greening Factor in frameworks such as the London Plan.

M-Tray® therefore retains all of its sustainability benefits while helping developers and specifiers align with emerging biodiversity targets in the UK.

Support for specifiers

We provide technical support, specification guidance including NBS Source and BIM objects, CAD details and installation advice. The system is compatible with a wide range of waterproofing membranes and can be tailored to project requirements.

Learn more about M-Tray® and request specification details here.