Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Stratford School
- RW
- Aug 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 15
An air quality monitor was recently installed at the primary school. The monitor was provided by the Wiltshire Community Air Network as part of their aim to study air pollution across the county. Their website gives more information: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/13705/Wiltshire-Community-Air-Network
The air quality readings are available for anyone to view online* https://map.purpleair.com
The PurpleAir website defaults to giving readings in US EPA PM2.5 which is basically 0-50 (green) very good; 51-100 (yellow) OK; above 100 starting to be problematic. Further explanations are here: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics
Rhod Morrison
Governor, Stratford sub Castle Primary School
*Ed: Enter the school's post code SP1 3LL to view the readings from this local monitor. A yellow icon with a number shows the latest reading - click it to view 10 minute average readings over recent days.
Here are some screenshots of readings over recent days - click to enlarge an image
Below is a screen shot of the PurpleAir information taken on 4 August 2025.
Stratford sub Castle Primary School is one of 100 organisations and individuals in Wiltshire that have agreed to host a PurpleAir Zen PM2.5 Air Quality sensor.
The monitor was provided by the Wiltshire Community Air Network for a one-year project that will study air pollution across the county by monitoring fine particulate matter (PM2.5), to supplement the limited local data previously available.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a type of air pollution made up of tiny pieces of solids or liquids measuring 2.5 micrometres or less. Exposure to PM2.5 can increase the risk of health problems and be damaging to the environment.
PM2.5 can come from both natural and human sources. It is too small to see with the naked eye and can be present in air that seems unpolluted.
Human sources can include:
vehicle emissions
industrial emissions
bonfires
burning solid fuels like wood and coal for domestic heating
Natural sources can include:
dust
pollen
sea-spray
Update 12 August. Readings from the air quality monitor at Stratford School were not available earlier today, possibly due to a wifi connection issue. The monitor was later back on-line.
Readings from the nearby monitor at Victoria Park are available from the same link https://map.purpleair.com
Extend the viewing area of the map to include Castle Road/Victoria Park - the position of that monitor is shown on the screenshot image (left) when it was displaying a reading of 56 earlier today.
If you should wish to extend your investigation of Air Quality in Wiltshire, extend the map to a wider area and then click one of the numbered icons to view 10 minute average readings.
Ed.