Your cookie settings

We and our partners use cookies and similar technologies to help you with your payments and journeys, remember your login, use webchat, understand how our website is used and show you content and adverts you might be interested in.

Some of our partners rely on legitimate interests to use your personal data, instead of your consent. You have the right to reject this. View our partners to find out more.

Find out more about our cookies and how to manage your settings. If this page is blocked by a cookie pop-up, choose ‘Accept only essential cookies’ to then see the page.

We use essential cookies to ensure our website works properly. Any other cookies will only be set if you select ‘Accept all cookies’ below or by clicking ‘Manage cookies’ to learn more.

Skip to main content

Anti-idling campaign

Suitable for primary and secondary pupils. Supports the Geography National Curriculum.

Overview

Education phase

Early years Key stage 2 Key stage 3 Key stage 4 Key stage 5 Key stage 1

Categories of activity

Travel

Types of activity

Better Driving

How it helps

  • Supports the Geography National Curriculum
  • Reduces the impact on your local environment
  • Encourages parental participation

About the activity

Idling is referred to when cars are left running for over a minute after stopping or parking. This is common when parents/carers pick or drop off pupils to school & can result in increased air pollution surrounding the school gate.

The Anti-idling campaign is a great way to raise awareness & improve air quality around the school, this can encourage the wider school community to participate & learn ways to generally become more environmentally friendly.

By using posters, banners, raising awareness in letters, newsletters & the school's website, this can encourage parents/carers to switch engines off. You can even consider a group of pupils that monitors idling at times to observe & compare for improvements. Issuing stickers to pupils for their parents/carers to us on their vehicles can also act as a gentle reminder.

Pupils can use creative innovative ideas & use the GLA Cleaner Air 4 Schools toolkit to explore the topic in more detail. The toolkit contains lesson plans and campaign ideas.

Activity steps

Step 1

Observation - Work with your working group count the number of cars idling outside your school at the start & end of the day (see Resources for guidance). Share with your Borough Travel Planning Officer.

Step 2

Developing a Plan - With your working group decide how you will run your anti-idling campaign. Utilise resources to support your campaign. Liaise with your Borough Travel Planning Officer who may also have resources/ideas.

Step 3

Launching - Get pupils, parents/carers & the wider school community thinking about cleaner air quality. Using resources, highlight & promote the cause.

Step 4

Empowerment - Involve parents/carers, staff & delivery companies to pledge their support for the campaign by signing an anti-idling pledge and/or displaying a sticker in their vehicle's window. Promoting change & provoking thought.

Step 5

Monitor/Observe - Counting the number of cars outside the school gate before & after school, monitoring idling & comparing the counts. Creating a spreadsheet or chart to see changes.

Step 6

Tell your story - Log into the TFL Travel for Life website & create your story including pupil feedback. Detail the activity, the campaign & result, adding photos, posters and/or promotional materials.

Step 7

Working together - Ensure to keep your Borough Travel Borough Officer informed.