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Researchers from 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council and St Stephen’s CE Primary School, have unveiled a unique community air quality monitor in White City as part of the pioneering AWAIR project.

The installation aims to measure local air quality in real time while raising awareness and understanding across the community. The unveiling took place during the school’s Science Week on Friday 20 March with representatives from 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, H & F Council and the school community in attendance.

is an innovative study exploring how providing local, real-time air quality information can support community awareness and action around air pollution. The project team brings together scientists, communicators and community champions to make air pollution data accessible and meaningful to the public.

As part of the initiative, Key Stage 2 pupils from St Stephen’s CE Primary School (aged 7-11) worked closely with the AWAIR team to design the monitor display. Students developed four distinct concepts, which were put to a whole-school vote. The winning design was developed into a functional display by Andrew Grieve, AWAIR Project Lead at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, and prominently displayed at the school entrance so that pupils, parents and local residents can easily see how clean the air is in their neighbourhood.

The monitor functions as an “air quality scoreboard,” presenting hourly updates using colours and simple, clear messages to indicate pollution levels. The displays are powered by a real-time air quality model known as a “Nowcast,” developed and maintained by the Environmental Research Group at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ. The Nowcast uses air pollution measurements recorded in the previous hour from the London Air Quality Network - a comprehensive network of monitoring stations across the capital.

White City was selected as the Hammersmith & Fulham location due to its role as a dynamic and diverse urban hub. As a major traffic corridor encompassing Wood Lane, the A40 and the Westfield Shopping Centre, the area experiences significant vehicle emissions and high pedestrian activity, making it an ideal setting for monitoring and increasing awareness of air quality challenges.

Michael Schumm, Head Teacher at St Stephen’s “We are so excited to be part of this exciting and important project. Sustainability is at the heart of all we do at St Stephens. We are lucky to have an amazing bunch of students, staff and parents who get behind everything we suggest 110%.”

Andrew Grieve, Senior Air Quality Analyst from the Environmental Research Group at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, said: “It’s great to work with schools and local communities on these projects, where they can see the result and the children can see their winning design. Air pollution can have a big impact on our health, so being able to easily see the current levels can help people to take action if they need to – such as walking a different route, or at a different time of day. Most importantly, it will help more people to be aware of the air quality in their local area.”

Jamila Bolton-Gordon, AWAIR Community Champion & former St. Stephens student: “As a former pupil of St Stephen’s graduating in (1984), I’m grateful for the safe space that taught us to think, create, fail, and keep trying. Returning with joy as both a former pupil teaching and a Community Champion for 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, I bridge science and community learning on pollution. Growing up near the A40 and Uxbridge Road, I experienced severe respiratory problems asthma and eczema, now echoed in all my children’s different health challenges unfortunately. This journey has deepened my love for nature and my commitment to protecting our communities and planet.”

About AWAIR Displays

AWAIR displays are a community-focused research initiative investigating how accessible, real-time air quality information can empower communities and support informed decision-making about health and the environment. AWAIR is funded by Impact on Urban Health and delivered by 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ in partnership with Studio Molga, The Social Innovation Partnership, On Our Radar, and residents in Gipsy Hill, Peckham and White City.

About St Stephen’s CE Primary School

St Stephen’s CE Primary School is a two-form entry school that has served the Shepherd’s Bush community for over 160 years. The school was awarded Outstanding status by OFSTED in 2023 and was winner of the TES Primary School of the Year in 2024 for its rich, broad curriculum, strong community, family engagement, and excellent work in sports and arts. Sustainability is central to the school’s ethos. It has been awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag and is a previous recipient of a Plastic Clever Initiative grant in recognition of its environmental leadership.