School Initiatives

School Air Quality Audits

The Environmental Protection team commissioned specialists to undertake School Air Quality Audits to assess sources of air pollution in and around 10 selected schools and identify areas where children, staff or the wider community were likely to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution. Whilst the focus of the measures was to help reduce sources and exposure to harmful emissions, some will also help encourage more active and healthy travelling behaviour and improve road safety. 

The audits included existing air quality levels surrounding the schools and main transport contributors to air quality and an overview of the auditors’ highway and school grounds/building observations. The audits identified measures which could be implemented by the schools under three themes: Highways; Buildings/Grounds and Behavioural.  Each school were able to assess an Air Quality Starter Pack of £5000 to put towards implementing the measures in the audits.

 

10 selected schools

  • Adamsrill Primary School
  • Ashmead Primary School
  • Baring Primary School
  • Edmund Waller Primary School
  • Fairlawn Primary School
  • Good Shepherd Primary School
  • Kender Primary School
  • Our Lady & St Philip Neri School
  • Stillness Junior School
  • Torridon Primary School

 

The criteria for being prioritised included:

  • levels of pollutions surrounding your school
  • school statistics: total number and age of pupils
  • whether the school are engaged with Transport for London STARS programme (Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible and Safe).

Round 4 School Superzone Funding

The Public Health and Environmental Protection teams have successfully implemented a Superzone around Kender Primary School and Edmund Waller Primary School, the first time a Superzone has encompassed two schools. The main activities have now been completed, delivering significant improvements for students and the wider school communities.

Key achievements:

  • Walking Routes & Maps – Designed and produced for both schools, with banners now displayed at each location to encourage active travel.
  • Active Travel & Air Quality Planners (2024/25) – Developed to help schools sustain project benefits beyond the funding period.
  • Educational Resources & Games – Created to engage students, including:
    • Engine Idling Group Debate
    • Active Travel Bingo (Pollution Solutions Bingo)
    • Air Pollution Sorting Game
    • Snakes and Ladders Game
  • Stakeholder Workshop Case Study – Capturing insights from a collaborative event held at Edmund Waller Primary School.

 

School-led projects

Each school received £6,750 in funding to develop unique projects supporting the Superzone’s legacy

Edmund Waller Primary School is creating a kitchen garden and cooking space, teaching children about healthy eating, food sustainability, and mental well-being through hands-on learning.

Kender Primary School is relocating its main entrance to Faulkner Street, currently a School Street, to enhance pedestrian access. The entrance will feature new double gates with a community-designed mosaic, encouraging active travel and strengthening ties with local families.

Next Steps

The schools are still working on their projects and will provide final reports in due course. Once received, further updates will be shared.

This initiative is a testament to Lewisham’s commitment to improving air quality, promoting active travel, and fostering healthier school environments.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this project a success!

Air quality lesson plan & teachers notes

 

To support schools on their journey in improving air quality further resources can be found at the Pollution Helpdesk.