Sock puppet to teach children about air pollution in Leicester

Pupils at primary schools in Leicester will learn about the impacts of air pollution with the aid of the puppet ‘Clean Air Clive.’ 

Clean Air Clive is a sock puppet and will be used to educate children on how to improve air quality around schools. 

The ways to improve air quality include walking, cycling or scootering to school instead of travelling by car and if this is not possible, then parking further away in order to reduce air pollution directly outside the school. 

The puppet will be visiting different schools around Leicester, he recently visited King Richard III Infant and Nursery School. 

Lou Harrison, the headteacher at King Richard’s, said: ‘As a school, we take every chance to encourage the children to take more care of the environment and we’ve really enjoyed this great opportunity to add another aspect to our work.’ 

Deputy city mayor, Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: ‘We have an education officer for air quality because we recognise how important it is that we all work together to make a positive impact on air pollution – it’s a message that everyone can share, including young children, who can help influence their families to take action.

‘We’re making progress on tackling air pollution in Leicester, but we still face challenges, which is why we’re putting forward ideas like a workplace parking levy and in the meantime, choosing a better way of getting to school is something we can all do to improve air quality.’ 

Air Quality News has reported on similar campaigns across the country which also aim to raise awareness of air pollution amongst school children. 

For example, earlier this month, Oxford City Council and Friends of the Earth launched a competition with the aim to teach primary school children about air pollution. 

Schools across Oxford have been invited to take part in the competition with children in years three to six asked to create a banner which encourages drivers to think about the wellbeing and safety of children on their way to and from school. 

Photo Credit – Leicester Council