In May 2018, St Mary’s Bryanston Primary School was identified as one of the 50 most polluted schools in London, by Sadiq Khan’s school’s air quality audit. In regards to this acquisition the installation of emissions-absorbing green screens was implemented as it was one of the main recommendations identified from the audit.

Meristem Design designed and installed the green screens with funding from Addison Lee Group, Westminster City Council and the Mayor of London. The emissions-absorbing ivy walls flank the perimeters of school playgrounds in highly polluted areas. Studies show that these green screens can reduce exposure to emissions by up to 40%, while also providing privacy and reducing traffic noise.

Addison Lee Group is one of the first companies to help fund these green screens. This is the first initiative in Addison Lee’s wider programme, called ‘the greener future programme’ which targeted investment in air quality improvement for schools.

St Mary’s new green screens were completed over the summer holidays, so pupils could enjoy their transformed playground area when they returned from break. On the 29th of October, we were delighted to join their pupils and head teacher, along with Cllr Tim Mitchell from Westminster City Council for the official launch.

At the launch two pupils from St Mary Bryanston ‘Green Team’ where interviewed by BBC News on what they thought about the new green screens.

‘I think air quality is important, because if our lungs breathe in bad air then it could affect how we play in the playground.’

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