Schools see 86% drop in classroom CO2 after installing purifiers
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels have dropped by 86 per cent in classrooms after South London schools worked with experts to improve air quality.
STEP Academy Trust – which runs 12 schools in South London – partnered with Dyson, to install Big+Quiet Purifiers in a bid to enhance pupil focus, wellbeing, and academic performance by improving indoor air quality.
After a successful trial at David Livingstone Academy in Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, Dyson’s assessments showed a reduction of 86 per cent in peak CO₂ levels within the classrooms.
Pupils also conducted their own qualitative research, which found that improved air quality facilitated longer periods of focus on learning, reduced disruptions, and fostered a more positive learning atmosphere whilst teachers observed notable benefits, including calmer lessons.
Building on these findings, pupils and staff at Benedict Academy in Church Road, Mitcham – also part of STEP Academy Trust – worked together to introduce the purifiers in their school.
Felicity Gilmore, executive head teacher at Benedict Academy, said: “Everything we do at Benedict Academy is to improve the wellbeing and life chances of our pupils.
“When the opportunity arose, we were keen to take it forward as it enhanced our ability to safeguard pupil and staff health and wellbeing.
“Pupils have been central to the success of this programme, conducting their own research and analysis.
“It has been amazing to watch them take on that responsibility and communicate how impactful the air purifiers have been to their educational experience.”
STEP Academy Trust has now rolled the initiative out across all of its academies.
The initiative comes after City Hall analysis from 2021 revealed that almost every London school is in an area where air pollution levels exceed World Health Organization limits.
More than 1.2 million children across the country are exposed to harmful pollutants daily, data showed, which is suspected to stunt lung development and exacerbate chronic health issues.
Mark Charman, head of pupil representation at STEP Academy Trust, said: “This programme to create purer air is just one way we are providing our pupils with greater agency over their education.
“We are passionate about the power of involving pupils in appropriate decision making, which is why we give our Pupil Parliaments opportunities to give feedback to the senior leadership team and make a real difference to life at their academies.”
Pictured top: Staff and pupils at Benedict Academy in Church Road, Mitcham, part of the STEP Academy Trust (Picture: STEP Academy Trust)
