[cleanairuk_news] Clean Air Schools briefing

[contact at cleanairuk.org]

The attached briefing by Bristol City Council is being distributed to  
those interested on improving air quality around schools and other  
educational establishments by increasing physical activity.

Thanks for Eleanor Margolies for pointing this out. You can see a  
description of one Eleanor's clean air projects here:  
(http://www.breathelondon.org/south-east/project/dog-kennel-hill-primary-school-study

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Bristol City Council, April 2015

Briefing Paper: How can active travel enhance educational attainment  
in school children?
Dr Darshana Bhattacharjee, Registrar in Paediatrics and Public Health

What do we already know?

The school curriculum is becoming increasingly constrained, with  
opportunities to undertake physical education during the school day  
diminishing in favour of classroom - based academic work.

The average child aged 5 to 17 years in the UK does not reach the  
recommended minimum daily levels of physical activity - 60 minutes per  
day.

Childhood obesity is becoming endemic, with associated negative health  
impacts that persist into adulthood.

More children travel to school unnecessarily by car when they live  
close enough to be able to walk or cycle, and can gain the health  
benefits as a result.

What have we found?

More than 20 scientific papers looking at the link between physical  
activity and academic attainment over the past 14 years have been  
reviewed.

There is convincing evidence that physical activity and fitness levels  
in school children is associated with better academic scores and  
improved classroom behaviour.

Physical activity during the school day is not detrimental to academic  
performance.

Active commuting to school can lead to the above benefits.

What can you do with this information?

Support active travel in school children, and acknowledge the fact  
that this can lead to improved
school performance, which can influence the positions of Bristol  
schools in league tables.

Raising the profile of Bristol schools can in turn help families  
choose schools which are closer to their homes
in order to allow active travel.

Make school travel plans an integral part of school policy to  
encourage sustainable modes of transport, and highlight the fact that  
the LEA have a statutory duty to contribute to healthy travel to  
school initiatives.

Enhance road safety messages, including the 20mph speed limit, for the  
local catchment area. Make parents aware that driving their children  
to school makes the environment more detrimental for walkers and  
cyclists.

Promote messages on better health and academic performance through  
active travel via poster campaigns in schools and other public  
facilities, and link to existing campaigns such as Change 4 Life.

Provide facilities within schools for active travel, and provide  
incentives for funding and accessing resources within the local  
authority, such as training.

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