THE PUPIL POWER ASSEMBLY 2026: WHAT’S ON & WHO’S IN THE LINE UP

Welcome to the 2026 Pupil Power Assembly! We’re super stoked to dive into yet another action-packed adventure with you. This year’s assembly is overflowing with fun, creativity and big ideas to help protect the blue spaces where we swim, surf, and play! But that’s not all that’s flowing….💩

💩SEWAGE POLLUTION AND WATER QUALTIY 💧

This year’s theme explores the issue of sewage pollution, covering why it’s being spilt into our seas and rivers and the risks it poses to wildlife and human beings while it’s there. Experts, scientists, and campaigners explain the problem, show us how to stay safe in the water, and talk about important future changes to the water systems.

Keep scrolling for what’s to come…

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What is the Pupil Power Assembly?

👀What’s on: A look into the agenda

💩Why Sewage Pollution?

Wondering why we’ve chosen to spend an hour talking about poo? That’s fair enough! We’ll start of by explaining why sewage pollution is an issue, tell you a bit about how Surfer’s Against Sewage began, and potential upcoming changes in the law. Giles Bridstow, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, will explain how the government may (hopefully!) be making our water systems better very soon!

Key speakers: Giles Bristow

🗨️Community Stories 

Sewage pollution can affect everyone who spends time in the water, whether you swim, surf, kayak, snorkle, paddle, or anything else. We’ll hear from water users in urban areas and closer to the coast, on how they’re connected to their waterways, how sewage has impacted it, and what they’re doing to take action.

Key speakers: Pari Balu, Lukas Brendon

🦠What Does Poo-lluted Water Look Like?

How do we know whether it’s safe to swim? Hugh and Naomi head to the beach in Cornwall to explore ways to stay safe when getting in the water.

We’ll learn how pollution gets into our favourite blue spaces and how it can affect wildlife and ecosystems.

Key speakers: Hugh Elworthy, Seniz Mustafa

🚸What can you do?

After you’ve learnt all about water quality and sewage pollution, we’ll look into what you can DO about it. Because all voices matter – POWER TO THE PUPILS!

We’ll introduce inspiration, ideas, and a simple yet effective follow-up activity.

🔦Speaker spotlight

We’ve got an incredible lineup of passionate presenters, nature lovers, and unstoppable campaigners! From TV hosts to student changemakers, this enthusiastic crew is coming together to spark big ideas and show pupils just how powerful our voices can be for protecting blue spaces.

NAOMI WILKINSON

Presenter & Environmental Ambassador

Naomi is a renowned children’s TV presenter and environmental ambassador, who is passionate about inspiring young people through education and nature programmes. This will be the 7th year Naomi has hosted the Pupil Power Assembly. Her energy and enthusiasm lights up every event, making it a fun experience for all.

ŞENIZ MUSTAFA

Urban Beaver Officer, Co-Founder of London Nature Club, Butterfly Conservation Ambassador

Şeniz is an ecologist, educator, and the UK’s first Urban Beaver Officer, leading community rewilding and human-beaver coexistence at the Ealing Beaver Project. As an advocate for diversity and accessibility in the environmental sector, she works to connect urban communities with nature. Şeniz will be showing us how native species can transform urban waterways, boost biodiversity, and improve local water health.

GILES BRISTOW 

CEO of Surfers Against Sewage

Giles made his way to SAS via a career as an environmental lawyer and then working at a senior level in environmental NGOs in climate & energy, food, and marine systems.  He loves the ocean and has a passion for swimming, sailing, wing-foiling, and surfing. As part fo the RNLI crew in Lyme Regis, he helps keep people safe in the water whether it’s because of stormy seas, or sewage pollution. He’ll be answering some questions about the Clean Water Bill and important changes in the law.

HUGH ELWORTHY

Poo-watch expert (SAS Community Fundraising Officer)

Hugh grew up in Cornwall on the river Fowey and has always been passionate about people being able to enjoy our waters. He works with members of the community to fight pollution in our waters. He’ll be showing us what to watch out for and how to stay safe when we want to get in the sea.

LUCAS BRENDON 

Surfers Against Sewage Youth Panel Member 

As the founder and director of Roots Media, Lucas started a movement at 14 to redefine how young people engage with sustainability and climate action, even donating thousands of pounds to grassroots movements through the sale of sustainable clothing. Between serving as Student President, editing, and debating on the national stage, Lucas shows the power of youth. He’ll be telling us how his local blue spaces are affected by pollution and what he’s doing about it.

PARI BALU 

Surfers Against Sewage Youth Panel Member 

Pari is currently pursuing an MSc in Global Conservation, focusing on where biodiversity, climate action, and international law meet. With hands-on field experience and a solid scientific background, Pari is on a mission to turn environmental policies into real-world protection for our planet and communities. She’ll be telling us how she’s connected to her local blue spaces and how sewage has impacted it.

SEAN LEWIS

BSL Interpreter 

Working at the Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education, Sean is helping make sure everyone can access, enjoy and learn from the Pupil Power Assembly with British Sign Language interpretation.

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 Power to the pupils!