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The Clean Air Challenge

Walk, wheel, scoot and cycle for cleaner air!

The Clean Air Challenge is a free event for Hampshire primary schools, designed to inspire healthier and greener journeys. By taking part, schools help promote the benefits of active and sustainable travel for cleaner air, better health and improved wellbeing across the whole school community.

 

Let’s get as many families as possible walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling each June

We will be contacting schools about the Clean Air Challenge 2027 nearer the time. Take part, make a difference and your school could win an amazing prize!

 


The Clean Air Challenge competition

In June 2026, 57 schools took part in a week-long challenge to raise awareness about air pollution and encourage more active and sustainable travel. We had some amazing entries to our schools' competition showing some of the inspiring active travel initiatives organised during the week. Activities included inter-class challenges, photography competitions, promotional campaigns, pupil-led initiatives, clean air trails, active travel breakfasts and no-parking zones. 

We are delighted to announce the winner and runners-up.

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Winning school: St John the Baptist Primary School, Waltham Chase

St John the Baptist Primary School held an Active Travel Breakfast, chosen through a whole-school consultation led by the JRSOs. Supported by local businesses, volunteers, parents and community members, the event promoted active travel and use of the Park and Stride site. The breakfast was promoted through newsletters, parent/carer flyers, social media, assemblies and pupil engagement, helping to secure strong participation from families.

Attendees were welcomed by My Journey's mascot, Basil, while banners and bunting helped create a positive atmosphere, with breakfast club pupils also taking part in active circuits around the playground. Feedback and observations indicated an increase in active travel, with pupil comments highlighting the benefits of active travel. The school intends to continue monitoring travel patterns through surveys and traffic counts.

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Runners-up: Swanmore CE Primary School and Northern Federation Infant & Junior School

Swanmore CE Primary School ran an inter-class Active Travel Challenge, with a prize awarded to the class achieving the highest rate of active travel over the course of a week. Led by the Eco-Council, the initiative was supported by a photo competition, bespoke posters displayed throughout the school, and a presentation delivered during collective worship. Pupils enjoyed tracking their journeys, and feedback and observations indicated that more families made use of the Park and Stride site rather than driving the entire journey to school.
   
Northern Federation Infant and Junior School introduced a targeted parking and air quality initiative to promote safer and more sustainable journeys to school. A map identifying suitable parking locations and walking routes was shared with parents, alongside reminder letters outlining parking expectations, the Highway Code and the benefits of active travel. School leaders were present at the start and end of the school day to provide guidance to parents and carers. As part of the initiative, pupils created and displayed pollution catchers around the school grounds to assess air quality, helping them identify the cleanest areas of the site. The initiative encouraged families to park further from the school, increasing opportunities for active travel while reducing congestion and vehicle idling near the school gates.

 

 

 

Further information and resources

Air Quality – Resources and information about air quality and The Clean Air project.

Travel Initiative Quick Guides - A set of resources designed to facilitate the promotion and implementation of active travel initiatives in schools, including air quality initiatives. 

A Wild Walk to School - For KS1, this book focuses on the air quality benefits of travelling actively to school. The story demonstrates an active journey to school enables time to be spent looking at nature.

 

A Right Royal Adventure - For KS2, the story focuses on the history of air quality and how we can influence the future.

 

My Journey Scooter Challenge Stickers - A sheet of fun Scooter Challenge stickers featuring our scooting and wheeling birds. The sheet is compatible with Avery L7161 label template.

My Journey Scooting Film - Meet Baron Karl Von Drais de Saurbrun, who invented the 'street walker' in 1817. He speaks on the importance of making a positive environmental difference in your local community and how greater exercise and active travel can benefit all.

Scooter Training – The Scooter Challenge could be a great opportunity to do some scooter training in school, try out these in-school scooter training guidelines for teachers.

Scooting to School – Includes some top tips to share with pupils for scooting safely.

Start Scooting – A great information sheet from Sustrans about getting going with scooting.

 

Get in touch today!