Air quality in schools
How schools can raise awareness of air pollution and improve air quality.
Clean Air School accreditation
Created by our Air Quality Team and Wandsworth Air Quality Ambassadors, Clean Air Schools is designed to help raise awareness of air pollution among pupils, parents/carers and the wider community.
Accreditation also demonstrates a strong commitment to improving air quality both within the school environment and in the surrounding area.
Complete air quality and active travel activities throughout the year to achieve Clean Air School accreditation at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. Schools can work towards these awards at a pace that suits them.
Activity list
For information on how to achieve accreditation and the terms and conditions, see the Clean Air School accreditation activity list.
Our Air Quality Team is available to support schools in achieving accreditation and can also provide:
- Free air quality assessments
- Pollution workshops
- Idling action events
For more information, contact pollution@merton.gov.uk.
Air quality assessments
We are continuing our School Air Quality Assessment Project and are looking to work with schools across the borough to help improve air quality on school grounds.
As part of the project, we will carry out a free on-site air quality assessment on a mutually convenient day - ideally in the morning.
The assessment includes:
- Internal review (with the bursar, caretaker or relevant staff): We will take air quality readings in classrooms and assess the school’s layout, heating, kitchen, hot water systems and ventilation.
- Observation of drop-off or pick-up: We will observe traffic-related activity, with input from the school on day-to-day issues.
- Feedback session: A discussion with key staff (for example, headteacher, business manager, eco lead) to understand any air quality concerns or challenges. Approx. 40 minutes.
Following the visit, we will provide a report summarising the current air quality around the school and offer tailored recommendations for improvement.
To find out more information or to book a free assessment, contact pollution@merton.gov.uk.
Air pollution workshops
We also offer free air pollution workshops to schools.
The workshop includes a 30 to 40-minute presentation covering key topics such as:
- Types of pollutants
- The importance of clean air
- Ways to reduce pollution and exposure
- The issue of vehicle idling
Students are encouraged to engage, ask questions and join in discussions throughout.
After the presentation, students take part in a 30 to 40-minute creative activity, such as designing a poster, writing a poem, or a short story, to reflect on what they've learned. This can be done immediately after the session or at a later time.
The workshop is typically delivered to KS2 classes but can be adapted for KS1 if needed. Sessions work best with groups of around 30 students to allow for meaningful interaction. We are happy to run multiple sessions back-to-back if several classes would like to take part.
To find out more information or to book a free assessment, contact pollution@merton.gov.uk.
Idling action events
If your school would like to participate in an idling action event, our Air Quality Team can visit to engage with drivers who leave their engines running around the school site. This helps reduce localised air pollution caused by idling vehicles.
At previous events, students have supported officers by speaking to parents and carers during pick-up times, distributing no-idling leaflets and encouraging drivers to switch off their engines.
Students will receive a safety briefing, high-visibility vests, leaflets and simple talking points before patrolling the roads around the school in groups, accompanied by an adult.
If you would like to take part in an event or if you would like more information, contact pollution@merton.gov.uk.