On Clean Air Day, the West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker visited Corngreaves Academy in Cradley Heath to discuss air pollution. He arrived prepared, armed with a copy of Auntie Duck, a book published to introduce the subject to children.
Auntie Duck is part of a collection of books that the Dog, Duck and Cat Trust have created to teach children about ‘some of the things in life that could potentially cause some bother’. This particular story was with advice from Sandwell Council’s air quality experts.
The Trust have created a variety of stories, aimed at Early Years (children under 4), Reception and Key Stage 1 (between 4 and 7 years old) and Lower Key Stage 2 (between 7 and 9 years old).
Auntie Duck falls into the latter category and tells the story of the eponymous waterfowl’s visit to see Duck, a visit in which Auntie talks about the different air quality she has noticed on her journeys and the effect this has on some of her friends, particularly those with asthma.
We won’t spoil it, but you get the idea.
The Mayor’s visit also served to launch a new education programme aimed at helping children across the West Midlands improve the quality of air where they live.
The programme will provide schools with specially written lessons and assembly plans, as well as classroom activities and workshops that link into the National Curriculum. Primary schools will also be able to get free copies of Auntie Duck
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has already piloted the programme in 10 local schools.
Jo Robinson, head of school at Corngreaves Academy, said: ‘We were extremely honoured to have the Mayor at our school to celebrate Clean Air Day. This was a wonderful opportunity to educate our children about the importance of environmental responsibility.
‘We were particularly excited for the Mayor to read Auntie Duck, which has certainly captivated and inspired our young learners. We were also thrilled that two of our children gained 1st and 2nd place in the Auntie Duck poster competition.’
The Mayor added: ‘Being able to breathe clean air shouldn’t be seen as a privilege – it’s a right. And one that everyone in the West Midlands deserves.
‘The air we breathe matters to our health. And we can all make choices right now to improve our air quality. The sooner we can make those choices, the better our health which is why it was so important to speak to these children today.
‘Our education programme is being piloted in 10 schools across the region. That’s hundreds of children who can start living a healthier life right now.
‘But we aren’t stopping there. We’ve recently installed a cross-regional monitoring network so that we can track air quality in real time. Using this data, and taking action, we can help everyone in the West Midlands live longer, healthier lives.’
Cllr Jackie Taylor, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adult services, health and wellbeing, said: ‘Auntie Duck is a great and innovative way to explain the importance of air pollution to Sandwell’s children and through them their parents and guardians as well. I hope this initiative helps to highlight this important issue.’
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