Guildford’s First “Living School Gate” Delivers Major Health and Environmental Benefits

Published on: 13 Jan, 2025
Updated on: 13 Jan, 2025

A teacher supervises planting up the gate at Sandfield Primary School

By Stella Kuchanny

Sandfield Primary School in Guildford has become the site of a groundbreaking project showcasing how green infrastructure can transform school environments, delivering significant health and environmental benefits.

The innovative initiative, led by the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), has resulted in a nearly one-third reduction in harmful particle pollution levels and a 5-decibel decrease in disruptive traffic noise.

The project, funded by the RECLAIM Network Plus and named CoGreen, introduced the UK’s first “living school gate” at Sandfield. This consisted of 140 plants arranged along the school’s perimeter, paired with a green screen of ivy designed to filter pollution from the busy A246 York Road and A320 Stoke Road crossroads nearby.

There has been a recent setback when a problem with the water supply caused some plants to die but restoration is planned.

Community Collaboration for Cleaner Air

Professor Prashant Kumar, the founding director of GCARE and principal investigator for the project, emphasized the importance of community collaboration:

“Air pollution poses a significant threat to children’s health, particularly with so many UK schools situated near busy roads. This project demonstrates the transformative potential of nature-based infrastructure to protect not only pupils and staff but also local biodiversity.”

The project brought together school staff, parents, researchers from the University of Surrey, and community groups such as Guildford Living Lab and Zero Carbon Guildford. Their combined efforts created an eco-solution that not only reduces pollution but also offers a model for other schools nationwide.

The plants help reduce road pollution in the school.

Results That Speak Volumes

The findings are compelling. Particle pollution levels near the school dropped by nearly 30 per cent, with reductions of up to 44 per cent depending on wind direction. The green infrastructure also diminished traffic noise by 5 decibels, creating a quieter and more focused learning environment for students.

Sandfield Primary School’s headteacher, Kate Collins, called the project a long-standing dream come true:

“This has been a significant milestone in protecting our environment and the health of everyone at our school. The success of this initiative highlights the power of partnerships with world-leading researchers and local community members.”

Vanessa Bellringer, who worked on the project, shared an update about its maintenance:

“The project was completed successfully, including the assessment, but we heard some plants recently died off due to water supply. The school is getting them restored with the help of parents – as they are easy to replace.”

Children help with the planting up.

Parents and Residents Show Support

A post-installation survey revealed overwhelming support from parents, with over 75 per cent expressing optimism about the reduction in air and noise pollution. Local resident and project participant Kate Alger reflected on the personal impact:

“As a former Sandfield parent and long-time resident, I’ve been deeply concerned about air pollution. It’s been incredible to be part of this project and see this vision come to life. I hope other schools follow suit.”

A Model for the Future

The success of Sandfield’s living school gate underscores the potential for green infrastructure to transform urban environments, especially in areas with high traffic pollution. With funding from UKRI’s RECLAIM Network Plus, which focuses on turning the UK’s ‘forgotten cities’ into healthier places, this initiative paves the way for similar projects nationwide.

The study linked in the press release also delves deeper into the impact of pollution on child mortality and illness, providing powerful insights into why such eco-solutions are vital for protecting children’s health.

This innovative approach is already inspiring hope for a greener, safer future for children, demonstrating how schools, communities, and researchers can work together to create lasting change.

A video for further information is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SQ__FnAYlY