Clean air for schools project
We were awarded a DEFRA grant to take on an air quality project over a three years period.
The project started in 2023 and focused 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.
The Project ended on the 31 March 2026.
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
- air quality monitoring to determine PM2.5 and NO2 levels at these schools
- web linked information at schools showing and providing data to schools
- school air quality audits and assessments of specific school activities and interventions
- engagement with schools on actions, intervention options and campaigns on air quality, reducing pollution exposure, safer, more active travel, modal shift
- funding for interventions, activities and local campaigns for schools
- wider anti-idling campaign for schools
- review post campaign and intervention impacts through a final measurement campaign
Phase 1 Monitoring
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
- group C schools between April 2025 and July 2025
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
Next steps
Air quality audits and traffic monitoring was undertaken at these schools. A Travel Survey was also shared with the schools staff and the secondary school students.
Following consideration and installation of necessary mitigation measures at the schools, phase 2 monitoring was carried out at each location.
Project Achievements
- Through assemblies, travel surveys and project updates we were able to raise Air Quality awareness to over 9,800 students and their families.
- An art competition was held among the schools, and we received lots of amazing entries. The winning students received new scooters from Argosy Toys and activity vouchers to IndiRock
- The project also allowed us to provide mitigation measures at a number of schools to assist with improving air quality.
- Mitigation measures installed including air purifiers, a green wall, 2 bike shelters with green roofs, planting of trees and planting schemes to enhance school boundaries.
- Scooter storage and bicycle storage were also provided to a number of schools.
- Through the project we have been able to promote active travel, nature connectivity and enhance pupils’ wellbeing.
- Educational resources were provided to each school focusing on air pollution and air quality.
- An anti-idling campaign Cough! Cough! Engine Off! was launched in September 2024.
- Both the Clean Air for Schools Project and the Anti-Idling Campaign have been promoted on social media, picked up by local media including the Echo and Essex Radio.
- The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the LGA have also published the project on their websites. https://www.cieh.org/news/blog/2025/clean-air-day-2025-southend-on-sea-city-council-s-clean-air-school-project/ and https://www.local.gov.uk/case-studies/clean-air-school-project