Data Investigation
Air Pollution Near England's Schools
We mapped NO₂ and PM2.5 levels for 25,103schools using DEFRA's 1km-resolution pollution model. The national average NO₂ near schools is 10.2µg/m³ — but in some areas it's more than double that.
Source: DEFRA PCM annual mean data (2023). Updated annually.
By Region
Highest Pollution Near Schools
Schools in areas with the highest annual mean NO₂ levels. The WHO guideline is 10 µg/m³ — the UK legal limit is 40 µg/m³.
City Junior School
· London · Sixth Form
34.4 µg/m³
NO₂ · PM2.5: 10
Charterhouse Square School
London · London · Sixth Form
34.4 µg/m³
NO₂ · PM2.5: 10
St Alban's Church of England Primary School
London · London · Primary
34.4 µg/m³
NO₂ · PM2.5: 10
City Lit
London · London · Sixth Form
32.7 µg/m³
NO₂ · PM2.5: 10
Cleanest Air Near Schools
Methodology
Air quality data is sourced from DEFRA's Pollution Climate Mapping (PCM) model, which provides annual mean concentrations at 1km × 1km grid resolution across the UK. Each school is matched to its nearest grid cell centroid. NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide) is the primary indicator as it has the strongest evidence base for impacts on children's respiratory health. PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) is shown as a secondary indicator.
Data period: 2023 annual mean. Source: DEFRA UK-Air PCM data.