A pioneering study at Guildford town centre’s Sandfield Primary School highlights the benefits to schoolchildren’s health delivered by protective green infrastructure, demonstrating a nearly one-third reduction in harmful particle pollution levels – together with the added benefit of a 5-decibel reduction in disruptive and distracting traffic noise.

The RECLAIM Network Plus-funded CoGreen project, led by the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), involved a collaborative effort between the school, parents and residents’ groups, and researchers from Guildford Living Lab and Zero Carbon Guildford. Each party oversaw the installation of the UK’s first ‘living school gate’ consisting of 140 plants, along with a separate green screen made of ivy designed to filter high pollution levels from the busy crossroads of the A246 York Road with the A320 Stoke Road, on which the school is sited.

Professor Prashant Kumar, founding Director of the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) and RECLAIM project Principal Investigator for this work, said:

“Air pollution poses a significant threat to children’s health, particularly with so many UK schools situated near busy roads. Our findings showcase the transformative potential of nature-based infrastructure in addressing this growing concern, providing protection for not only pupils and staff but also local biodiversity.

“Co-creation lies at the heart of this project’s success. The school’s leaders, parents, University of Surrey researchers and local stakeholders collaborated closely to conceive and deliver this project. Healthier, greener school environments for future generations can be delivered across the UK and around the globe where co-creation, active participation and community engagement are harnessed to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions.”

While Green Infrastructure (GI) is already recognised for its ability to reduce harmful air pollution exposure, the study shines new light on the associated multifaceted benefits of implementing sustainable eco-solutions around schools, offering valuable insights that could drive wider adoption across the country.

Results from the living gate and surrounding green screen showed particle pollution levels dropped by nearly one-third compared to scenarios without GI. Additionally, the living gate reduced traffic-related noise from the main road by 5 decibels. The findings also revealed that wind direction plays a key role in the infrastructure’s efficiency, with pollution cut by 44% when blowing away from the living gate and 42% when it flowed parallel to the green screen.

The school’s headteacher and co-author of the study, Kate Collins, said:

“This has been a long-standing ambition of Sandfield Primary, and we’re thrilled it has finally come to fruition – marking a significant milestone in protecting our environment and the health and wellbeing of everyone who learns and works at our school. This achievement was made possible through a strong partnership with the University of Surrey’s world-leading air pollution research lab, the Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), alongside the dedicated involvement of Sandfield parents and local charity Zero Carbon Guildford.”

A survey that followed the GI installation at the school revealed optimism among parents, with more than 75% providing positive responses regarding the reduction in air and noise pollution. Kate Alger, a local resident and freelance artist-educator, said:

“As a former Sanfield parent and long-time local resident, I’ve been very worried about air pollution for years. I’m pleased to have been part of this collaborative project and to see the vision we have brought to life. I sincerely hope this will help other schools and communities work together to create greener, cleaner and safer environments.”

UKRI’s RECLAIM Network Plus – which focuses on turning the UK’s ‘forgotten cities’ from vulnerable spaces to healthy places – funded the project, paving the way for the wider-scale application of innovative strategies involving local communities, stakeholders, and policymakers in implementing GI projects to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness.