Sammy’s concerns lead to clean-up emissions poster campaign in Essex

When a pupil at Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School recently asked their teacher about all parents’ cars parked outside with engines running, polluting the air nearby, it got them to thinking: what to do about it?

Sure enough, the concerns of that child – Sammy Carter – led teachers to listen. From there, a campaign grew. The solution, all agreed, was a series of pupil-produced posters highlighting how emissions can exacerbate problems like asthma.

“We listened to his views and agreed that running a whole-school poster competition to shine a light on the problem and galvanise change would be the best way forwards,” said Deborah Harris, Jewish Studies Lead.

“We believe that the environment is no one’s property to destroy and everyone’s responsibility to protect. Our pupils take this responsibility seriously and we discuss issues such as food waste, the importance of recycling and ways to save energy as part of our geography, RSHE and Jewish Studies curriculums.”

Along with the Barkingside school’s senior leadership team, Sammy chose two winners: Noah Keller in Year 5, and Brooke Strong in Year 6.

Both of their posters have been made into banners for the car park and will remind motorists to turn off their engines whilst waiting in their cars.

“We are so proud of Sammy and all those who participated,” said Harris. “It has opened up a discussion between the pupils and their parents about our collective responsibility to the planet and the ways in which we can safeguard each other.”

Brainchild Sammy said: “It worries me how bad the environment is now, because if we continue not to do anything, there might not be a world anymore in the future.”