Goose Green Primary School Green Screen Success

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Here is some FANTASTIC NEWS from Mr Wattam the Headmaster of Goose Green Primary School!!

"Following a Mayor of London grant of almost ?12,000 towards our ?Green Screen Project?, we have reached our fundraising target!

I am delighted to announce that FOGGS (Friends of Goose Green School) have now raised sufficient funds to install a ?Green Screen? of pre-grown ivy that will provide our school playground with a barrier against air pollution and help protect the long-term health of the children. So many have helped make this possible - from parents, carers and friends, local businesses, community groups and politicians. Special thanks to the Dulwich Society, Winkworth Estate Agents, Suzanne James Catering and Lightbox London Limited for their generous sponsorships.

WHAT IS A GREEN SCREEN?

Our very own Green Screen will run the entire boundary length of our playground along Grove Vale and will stand 2.2m high. Green Screens are made of living ivy and have a dual effect, both blocking pollutants as a barrier at vehicle exhaust height and actually capturing them on the surface area of the leaves. The pollutants captured are then washed away by rain, allowing the ivy leaves to repeat the process. A Green Screen can reduce street-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide by as much as 40% and up to 60% for particulate matter (PM). Because the ivy is pre-grown and full height the impact will be immediate and, as it matures and thickens, the benefit will increase.

Every child at Goose Green will be breathing cleaner, safer air straight away and the screen will benefit the local community with its aesthetic, environmental and air cleansing properties. It is also a fantastic educational tool for teachers and parents. A living testament to the remarkable power of nature.

NEXT STEPS

We are installing the Green Screen over the course of three community planting days in half term from 15th -17th February 2018 by a team of urban greening specialists assisted by parents, children and community members.

This is not just for the school, it is a project that will benefit the entire community, so we think it is important to involve as many people as possible. We?ve been thrilled by the enthusiasm shown by the children and parents of Goose Green, local residents and businesses ? it shows what can be achieved when everyone pulls together.

GET INVOLVED THIS HALF TERM!

We would love to have as many friends and families as possible involved in the community planting days. Please come and join ?The Big Dig? where we, under the guidance of experts, will fit our own ivy screens. The Green Screen experts will provide all equipment and FOGGS will have a warm-up room available with free refreshments and stories to entertain the children while the adults get stuck in! Don?t be shy ? this will be a fun project to be part of and the results will be very rewarding."

To register your interest, please contact [email protected]

For further information on the Greener City Fund grant, see below ?

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/community-projects-across-capital-receive-funding

https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/greener-city-fund