Pioneering scheme teaching Birmingham’s children about air pollution

Birmingham City Council’s collaboration with SKIPS Educational pioneering ‘Clean Air Cops’ programme is proving a great success as it enters into its second year.

The programme involves the local authority supporting its primary schools across the city with ‘Clean Air Cops’ classroom resource packs and unique parental engagement books to help tackle air pollution.

According to SKIPS, the lesson plans, delivery options, activities and rationales equip teachers with the knowledge, confidence and resources to deliver engaging, ready-made lessons to their pupils on:

• why clean air is important.
• why polluted air is dangerous.
• what can be done in school, at home and at play to help improve air quality locally.

The Clean Air Cops books are designed to enhance parental engagement and act as the toolkit to convey the messages taught in the classroom, so when children go into the home and create behaviour change.

Lorraine Cookson, senior behaviour change officer, Birmingham City Council told AirQualityNews.com: ‘We are delighted in how schools have adopted the programme and the actions they are taking.

‘At the end of the learning pupils and their family understand why clean air is important, recognise pollution makers, are able to make greener choices of travel and know how to help make the air cleaner locally. I am very excited that the schools are going on to further engage with the other council initiatives we are delivering such as:

– Public Health’s air monitoring programme

– Transport’s MODESHIFT Stars sustainable travel and Bikeability

– Digital Birmingham’s European funded ‘Pulse’ project

We look forward to celebrating and showcasing the good work schools and their pupils are doing on Clean Air Day.’

Ash Sharma, author and founder SKIPS Educational added: ‘We specialise in providing a platform that creates a bridge between families and schools leading to enhanced parental engagement.

‘Working very closely with Birmingham City Council’s Public Health, Environment Health and Transport Connectivity departments we were able to capture all the correct messages the local authority wanted to communicate to tackle air pollution.

‘The Council was looking for something unique that would provide positive long-term change and, thanks to our innovative partnership, we have been able to deliver this. The books will play a vital role in educating the grassroots within the community, ensuring future generations protect the environment for many years to come.

‘This initiative provides a model to affect change and help to encourage the development of responsible, creative and ambitious citizens of the future. We are able to bespoke Clean Air Cops to suit any local authority and welcome any approaches so we can continue to replicate the programme across the country.’

Email Ash here for more information.