Westminster's first school Superzone leading the way in children’s health 

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Cleaner air, safer streets and kids moving more – Edward Wilson Primary sees 12% rise in active travel thanks to Westminster’s trailblazing Superzone project. 

On Tuesday 6 May, Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, Councillor David Boothroyd and Leader of the Council Councillor Adam Hug, along with representatives from the Greater London Authority, visited the school to mark the success of the project and discuss its next steps.  

Children’s voices have been at the heart of the Superzone from the start. Through workshops and engagement activities, pupils, parents, and staff have helped shape local priorities and actions from improving air quality and active travel to creating greener, safer streets. 

In addition to the school superzone, Edward Wilson Primary is the first accredited Asthma Friendly School in Westminster. With tailored interventions to support children with respiratory conditions and improve overall wellbeing, four other schools have also followed suit. They are College Park Bayswater, College Park Hallfield, Pimlico Primary, and Marylebone Boys School.  

Headteacher of Edward Wilson Primary School added: 

“We wouldn’t have achieved so much without the School Superzone project and the support of Public Health at Westminster City Council.” 

As a result of the project, Edward Wilson Primary has achieved: 

• A 12% increase in active travel 

• TfL STARs Gold Accreditation for sustainable travel 

• Installation of green screens in the playground to reduce air pollution 

• Creation of a sensory garden for the school’s new SEND resource centre 

• Improvements to a local park, including a wildflower meadow and a designated safe space for girls 

• A living wall and school street zone are being implemented in the summer 

Cllr Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Voluntary Sector, said: 

The Edward Wilson Superzone shows what can be achieved when we put communities at the heart of decision-making. This project is a brilliant example of partnership in action, helping us build a greener, healthier, and a fairer city for our children.” 

The Superzone sets a blueprint for future school-based health initiatives across Westminster and beyond.