Air quality

Clean air for schools project

We were awarded a DEFRA grant to take on an air quality project over the next three years.

The project started in 2023 and focuses on schools that sit along:

  • the main A13 and A127, and
  • those within the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)

It is part of our commitment to improving air quality across Southend.

Participating schools

Group A - 2023

  • Chalkwell Hall Infant School
  • Chalkwell Hall Junior School
  • Porters Grange Primary School
  • Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery
  • St Mary's Prittlewell CofE Primary School
  • West Leigh Infant School
  • West Leigh Junior School

Group B - 2024

  • St Helens Catholic Primary School
  • Sacred Heart RC Primary School
  • Southchurch High School
  • Southend High School for Girls

Group C - 2025

  • Cecil Jones Academy
  • Hamstel Infant School and Nursery
  • Hamstel Junior School
  • Shoeburyness High School
  • Earls Hall Primary School

Project aims

  1. air quality monitoring to determine PM2.5 and NO2 levels at these schools
  2. web linked information at schools showing and providing data to schools
  3. school air quality audits and assessments of specific school activities and interventions
  4. engagement with schools on actions, intervention options and campaigns on air quality, reducing pollution exposure, safer, more active travel, modal shift
  5. funding for interventions, activities and local campaigns for schools
  6. wider anti-idling campaign for schools
  7. review post campaign and intervention impacts through a final measurement campaign

Progress

Air quality monitoring devices were initially installed at:

  • group A schools between September 2023 and December 2023
  • group B schools between January 2024 and April 2024

These devices collected baseline air quality data which can be accessed via our web portal.

We sent out a Travel Survey to all participating schools. This was shared with parents to gain an insight into travel habits.

A report was put together for each school containing:

  • the data obtained from the monitoring devices
  • information from the site-specific air quality audits
  • mitigation measures were recommended, if necessary

Mitigation measures installed so far include air purifying units at a number of schools and a green wall at St. Mary's Primary School.

Next steps

Due to Defra extending the project for an additional year we are able to work with a further 5 schools

Air quality monitoring devices will be installed at:

  • group C schools between April 2025 and July 2025

We will be undertaking air quality audits and traffic monitoring at these schools. A Travel Survey will also be shared with the schools and the parents.

An anti-idling campaign Cough! Cough! Engine Off! was launched in September 2024.

We plan to do another promotion of the campaign in 2025.

We will be continuing to work with the participating schools and our Parks Team to apply for the Woodland Trust's free trees for schools program. This scheme is open to all schools and community groups.

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