Ware Primary School recognised for efforts to improve air quality

Priors Wood primary school in Ware has won a £250 prize as part of East Herts Council’s DEFRA-funded Breathe Clean initiative. The prize recognizes the school’s efforts over the last twelve months to educate students and parents on what contributes to air pollution and to promote active travel alternatives. The prize will be used to fund more scooter storage.

The school has been involved in an impressive rangeof air quality-related activities including:

• Air pollution workshops
• The launch of an Eco Ambassador scheme so that students will continue to educate others and improve awareness of air pollution around the school and local area
• The creation of anti-idling banners which are now displayed outside the school to encourage people to avoid idling at school pick-up times
• An anti-idling enforcement event
• The creation of an accredited School Travel Plan which identifies opportunities for active travel or car sharing for students and staff
• Bikeability training
• Participation in Walk to School Week and the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel
• Promotion of Park & Stride to reduce traffic congestion and road danger around the school gates.

Priors Wood headteacher, Alan Bishop, said: “Getting involved in Breathe Clean was a no-brainer for us. Children are particularly affected by air pollution due to their reduced lung capacity and on-going lung growth. We’re therefore delighted that the work we’ve done over the past twelve months has been recognised. It’s been a real team effort and I’d like to congratulate both our students and our staff.”