The Government’s Air Quality Grant Scheme is open and can (and has) been used to improve air quality around schools
As published in our environmental news round-up, the Government’s Air Quality Grant Scheme is open for bids from local authorities. In 2022, a substantial amount of the £10.7 million awarded to local authorities was won by bids directly benefiting air quality at schools or the education of school children. At the bottom of this article is a full list of local authorities who won funding for proposals that specifically mentioned schools.
Lincolnshire County Council (in partnership with councils for City of Lincoln, South Kesteven District, North Kesteven District, Boston Borough, East Lindsey District, West Lindsey District, and South Holland District) provided one of many bids awarded funding for a school education and awareness programme. Educational programmes also received grants in Bedford, Colchester, East Herts, Brent, and Swindon, amongst numerous others. Other common themes included encouraging sustainable travel and anti-idling campaigns.
Grants awarded in the 2022/23 scheme varied from tens of thousands of pounds up to £1 million. The London Borough of Brent received £470,546 to create low pollution walking maps for all schools in the borough and to run awareness campaigns in schools. Reading Borough Council received £327,000 to provide an interactive education programme in primary and secondary schools to raise an awareness campaign supported by air quality data gathered by pupils.
The Government have announced there are two application lots for this year’s grant period. One for projects that will improve local air quality, especially focusing on areas which are expected to remain in exceedance of local air quality objectives, and another for projects to improve public awareness and that deal with particulate matter.
At least £6 million will be awarded to local authorities in England as part of the Air Quality Grant for 2023/24 and the deadline for applications is 29 September.
Local authorities who received grants as part of the 2022/23 scheme and specifically mentioned schools as part of their project:
Bedford Borough Council | Engagement with local schools, community and faith groups, and strengthen links with Primary Care Networks to encourage reduced vehicle use through active and sustainable travel. |
Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council | Engagement with schools to encourage active and sustainable travel. |
Colchester Borough Council | Air quality awareness, active and sustainable travel, and anti-idling campaign in schools. |
Cornwall Council | Employment of a school air quality officer to provide an air quality awareness programme to over 3000 students. |
East Herts Council | Engagement and awareness raising in local schools to reduce idling and encourage active travel. |
Lincolnshire County Council | School education and awareness programme. |
London Borough of Brent | Creation of low pollution walking maps for all schools in the borough. Education and awareness campaign in schools to raise awareness about air quality and encourage walking and active travel. |
London Borough of Camden | School engagement and awareness programme to reduce transport emissions and children’s exposure to pollution. |
London Borough of Enfield | Air quality monitoring at participating local schools to develop knowledge and awareness, improve safety outside schools, reduce idling, and encourage sustainable and active travel. Increased school cycle storage. Engagement with the local community to raise awareness about the school project. |
London Borough of Havering | School workshop and theatre engagement programme to improve knowledge and awareness about air quality, develop clean air route maps, and reduce emissions particularly from idling. Training of teachers to deliver cycling lessons to pupils. Guided cycle and walking routes for schools to encourage active travel and reduce children’s exposure to pollution when travelling to and from school. |
London Borough of Islington | Engagement and awareness campaign to improve knowledge of NO2 and particulate matter pollution supported by air quality data gathered by school pupils, community groups and residents. |
London Borough of Redbridge | Cycle training for pupils and parents, plus extra school cycle storage. |
Reading Borough Council | Interactive education programme in primary and secondary schools to raise awareness about air quality and encourage behaviour change to reduce NO2 and particulate matter pollution supported by air quality data gathered by pupils. This material will be developed for a wider community engagement campaign focusing on children and vulnerable groups. |
South Ribble Borough Council | Access for additional schools to the established ‘Clean Air Crew’ website and online learning resources to support air quality education in schools. |
Southampton City Council | Development of community air quality engagement programme to consolidate existing projects for woodburning, schools and healthcare into a single co-ordinated programme to deliver unified air quality information and messaging. |
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council | Air quality audit and sensor monitoring in 10 local schools to develop knowledge about local pollution to improve knowledge and develop interventions that will improve air quality and reduce pupil exposure to pollution. |
Swindon Borough Council | Engagement and awareness campaign with schools and community groups to encourage active travel. |
Telford and Wrekin Council | Monitoring, and engagement and awareness raising in local schools to reduce idling, encourage sustainable and active travel for pupils and their families. |
Wokingham Borough Council | Engagement and awareness campaign with 6 schools to reduce pollution by reducing reliance on cars and encouraging active and sustainable travel. |
