In 2003 the school started a partnership with the City of London to monitor and ultimately improve the air quality around the school. London’s poor quality air is a well known problem. Indeed, when we survey parents to get an idea of their priorities for school improvement it is one of the main concerns raised. As such, we’re very proud to announce that the air quality enhancement projects around the school are bearing fruit.
For the first time since monitoring began the annual measure of air pollution around the site has reduced to below the legal limit.
The main reasons for the reduction in pollutants is the work that the City of London has promoted to improve the built environment in the local area. Two new open spaces have been developed—Mitre Square and Aldgate Square. Footpaths have been widened around the school site. Hundreds of plants and trees have been established.
Inside the grounds of the school our Gardener, Catherine Tidnam, has worked with the Air Quality team in the City to develop planting around the school, install green screens and develop awareness of environmental issues with our children through our gardening club.
Many of these initiatives were featured in a recent BBC News report about the improvement on and around the site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-43930705/how-one-london-school-is-fighting-the-city-s-toxic-air
We don’t plan to rest on our laurels though. Over the next few months you will continue to see improvements around the site and inside the school building. We’re currently evaluating our trial of an air filter in Explorers. Initial results have shown a dramatic improvement in the air quality inside after installing this. We’re also going to be continuing to develop our gardens around the school, installing a nature and quiet area in the main playground, improving our green screens and installing an indoor garden in the entrance hall.
With thanks,
Mr T Wilson
Headteacher
For the first time since monitoring began the annual measure of air pollution around the site has reduced to below the legal limit.
The main reasons for the reduction in pollutants is the work that the City of London has promoted to improve the built environment in the local area. Two new open spaces have been developed—Mitre Square and Aldgate Square. Footpaths have been widened around the school site. Hundreds of plants and trees have been established.
Inside the grounds of the school our Gardener, Catherine Tidnam, has worked with the Air Quality team in the City to develop planting around the school, install green screens and develop awareness of environmental issues with our children through our gardening club.
Many of these initiatives were featured in a recent BBC News report about the improvement on and around the site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-43930705/how-one-london-school-is-fighting-the-city-s-toxic-air
We don’t plan to rest on our laurels though. Over the next few months you will continue to see improvements around the site and inside the school building. We’re currently evaluating our trial of an air filter in Explorers. Initial results have shown a dramatic improvement in the air quality inside after installing this. We’re also going to be continuing to develop our gardens around the school, installing a nature and quiet area in the main playground, improving our green screens and installing an indoor garden in the entrance hall.
With thanks,
Mr T Wilson
Headteacher
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