SGP Supports Sponne School to Third Place at the Big Ideas Competition 2026 National Final

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to celebrate the success of the Year 9 students from Sponne School, who secured third place at the Solutions for the Planet Big Ideas Competition 2026 National Final.

Last month, we shared that our Principal Architect, Fiona Romankiw, had been invited by David Smith of IM Properties to mentor the students through the Solutions for the Planet Big Ideas Programme. After supporting the team from the initial Big Ideas Day through to the Regional Finals, Fiona joined David and the students at the National Final, held at Portcullis House, Palace of Westminster, on Tuesday 30 June.

Competing against more than 3,000 students from across the UK and progressing from over 150 national entries to the final 12, reaching the National Final was an incredible achievement in itself. Finishing in third place made the day even more special.

The Sponne School team’s idea, Eco B.O.M.B., is a product and awareness campaign that uses biodegradable seed pods to help replant deforested areas, including the Amazon rainforest. Funded through merchandise sales and awareness initiatives, the concept aims to encourage environmental action while supporting large-scale reforestation.

Reflecting on the experience, Fiona said: “It has been an honour to mentor the students throughout this journey. Seeing their ideas develop from the Big Ideas Day into a detailed business plan and interactive presentation has been incredibly rewarding. They worked brilliantly as a team, combining their individual strengths with confidence, creativity and determination. Reaching the National Final was a huge achievement, but to walk away with third place is simply amazing.”

The National Final brought together 12 teams from across the UK, each presenting innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges. From restoring kelp forests and reducing the carbon footprint of food to protecting coral reefs and improving local communities, every presentation demonstrated the creativity and passion of the next generation.

Fiona added: “Every presentation was inspiring. It showed how the next generation views our world, highlighting issues we often overlook while offering practical and thoughtful solutions. They are the people who will shape the future, so it’s important that we listen to their ideas.”

Alongside the competition, finalists and mentors were also given the opportunity to tour the Palace of Westminster, where Fiona was able to appreciate the remarkable architecture, craftsmanship and symbolism that cannot truly be appreciated from television alone.

Fiona concluded: “The whole day was amazing. The Solutions for the Planet team have created a fantastic programme that is full of energy and enthusiasm. Thank you to David Smith and IM Properties for inviting SGP to be involved. It has been a wonderful and rewarding experience.”

Congratulations to the Year 9 students from Sponne School on their fantastic achievement and for representing their school so brilliantly on the national stage.

More information about the National Final and the winning teams is available on the Solutions for the Planet website: https://solutionsfortheplanet.co.uk/the-big-ideas-competition-2026-national-final-the-results/