A total of eight primary schools – hosts and last year’s winners Grove Street, Cathcart Street, Co-op Academy Portland, Heswall, Prenton, Somerville, St Michael and All Angels and SS Peter and Paul – took part in the recent Cool Climate Challenge.
Pupils were tasked with developing creative project ideas to help educate parents and carers about air quality.
The children presented their ideas to a judging panel made up of the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Mary Jordan, representatives from Wirral Fox Rescue charity – whose community engagement team has been working with Wirral Council’s Eco Schools Programme – and Victoria Chadderton, climate emergency and clean air officer at Wirral Council.
Heswall Primary was awarded first prize for its project focusing on idling car engines, highlighting the unnecessary pollution caused by vehicles left running outside schools.
Their initiative involved pupils creating home assembly packs, including photographs and resources, to help explain to families the environmental and financial impacts of engine idling.
As part of the project, the children will use an air quality monitor to measure pollution levels before and after their campaign, helping to demonstrate the real impact of behaviour change.
In addition, the school’s eco team plans to produce short videos about their work to share on social media and further spread awareness.
Each participating school will receive £250, funded by Wirral Council’s Public Health service, to deliver their projects over the next academic year. They will then present their findings and successes at a Clean Air Day 2027 event.
