DfE: Wildflowers in schools

Overview

Granby collated, despatched and tracked the successful distribution of more than 200,000 seeds packets to 18,060 schools across the UK on behalf of the DfE and the Eden Project. ‘Wildflowers in schools’ was fundamentally a co-packing project. We used our powerful 3PL fulfilment technology to turn the DfE’s schools data into orders, and to track deliveries to their destinations.

SCOPe, our 3PL fulfilment system, updates project information in real-time – it’s integrated with our carrier’s system. This feature allowed government ministers and other stakeholders to be updated twice daily on the project’s status as it progressed. SCOPe’s superior reporting capability will help the DfE create tailored reports for all stakeholders.

• 200,000+ seed packets collated
• 18,060 individual pick lists created
• Seeds included red, white & blue native annuals
• Collectively, the seeds could transform a meadow the size of 40 rugby pitches
• Full SCOPe visibility of milestones including 24-hour real-time tracking
• Carbon miles reduced through strategic choice of carrier
• Tailored tracking & reporting

Wildflowers for His Majesty’s coronation

King Charles III’s lifelong interest in environmental matters inspired the DfE to mark his coronation with something that upheld this commitment. It also upholds the DfE’s own commitment to its Sustainability and Climate Change strategy, which aims to create a greener, more sustainable world.

Granby received a total of 200,000 seed packets from the Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre (once the artwork received Royal approval). These were collated and distributed to 18,060 educational facilities across the country – nursery, infant, primary, junior and high schools, plus further education colleges.

The Eden Project has produced a guide to planting the wildflower seeds, plus other bonus content for schools, on its website. Planting and caring for their own wildflower meadows will be an opportunity for schools to continue to continue to celebrate and educate children and young people about the coronation, our King, and the environment he cares deeply about.

‘Wildflowers in schools’ has the potential to teach more about the importance of biodiversity and thousands of children will see it in action. Since WWII, our native wildflower meadows have been in decline and only 1% remain – yet they are critically important for insects, bees, birds and small mammals.

These seed packets included native annuals like cornflower, corn poppy and corn chamomile. If planted en masse, they’d create an amazing red, white and blue wildflower meadow the size of 40 rugby pitches. Arriving in time for National Education Nature Day, the seeds created an opportunity for children and young people to engage with – and help improve – biodiversity in their communities.

Granby’s responsibilities

We received a large data file from the DfE containing information on the schools, plus the quantity of seed packets each needed based on its size. SCOPe turned this data file into 18,060 trackable school orders and pick lists. Using these pick lists, we collated each order, packed them appropriately, and printed and applied barcode labels.

Granby chose Parcelforce as our ‘Wildflowers in schools’ carrier for a number of reasons:

• Tracking – SCOPe can fully integrate with all carriers’ systems but in this case Parcelforce’s 24-hour service meant everyone had complete, end-to-end visibility of each parcel in real time. The status of a parcel included ‘out for delivery’, ‘successful delivery’ and ‘rescheduled delivery’ at request of the school. This prompt and comprehensive information meant government ministers and other stakeholders had accurate updates twice a day on progress.
• Efficiency – we were already working with Parcelforce on another government project that requires delivery to schools. While combining 2 projects into the same delivery undoubtedly added some complexity, there were also distinct benefits. For instance, the carrier already has a relationship with the school – they know the location, entrance, best times to deliver, and often the recipients too. This, backed by SCOPe, helped to facilitate a smooth delivery process.
• Sustainability – following the ‘efficiency’ train of thought, a single delivery for 2 projects cut the carbon miles of both. Fighting climate change and sustainable business are high on the public sector procurement agenda – often, this requires a creative approach as well as an advocate mindset to bring all parties on board. In addition, SCOPe helped us manage the added complexity – we had full visibility of each project’s delivery and clarity over what was what.

3PL fulfilment & contract packing for the public sector

Granby is an award-winning 3PL company and we bring decades of experience to the table. Our business is founded on a commitment to investing in our people as well as our technology, both of which give our clients the edge they need.

As a public sector partner, we are primed for Social Value procurement; as an employee owned business, the notion of social value is part of our culture. We offer first class services that are backed by a genuine commitment to Social Value. Our aim is to help the public sector deliver projects where added value is a catalyst for positive impact.