To fulfil their central aim of achieving “a happy, calm and nurturing school community”, Ilderton Primary School approached Jacksons Fencing to provide Jakoustic® fencing to reduce outside traffic noise.

Ilderton’s location in the bustling Old Kent Road area of London’s Borough of Southwark means both air and noise pollution were travelling to the playground and into classrooms.

As the area undergoes rapid regeneration, which will see the addition of 20,000 new homes, 3 tube stations and 2 schools, one of Southwark Council’s key objectives is to reduce pollution and improve health. To this end, it made a commitment to work with all of its schools in areas with bad pollution. So, when Ilderton School made a plan to install some landscaping as a protective measure from traffic fumes and noise, they received support and funding from the council.

The school’s solution comprised two central elements, a green screen of ivy and evergreen trees and an acoustic fence. Greenery, including flower beds, was planted by pupils, who were joined by the local councillor, Richard Livingstone. Under contractor LARK Landscape Design, further protection was provided by Jacksons Fencing.

In total, 104m of 1.8m high Jakoustic® Reflective fencing was installed around the school perimeter with steel l-beam posts, replacing a shorter, old timber fence and metal mesh topping. The large solid panels minimise noise while providing increased privacy and a pleasant aesthetic. A low-impact, unobtrusive appearance was particularly important in order to create a positive atmosphere conducive to learning, appropriate for a primary school.

Since the installation of the acoustic fencing, Ilderton Primary School has reported a 15-20 dB decrease in noise levels, a welcome step towards creating a healthy learning environment.

Peter Jackson, Jacksons Fencing Managing Director, comments: “As the UK and its urban centres continue to grow, noise is an ever-pervasive concern. Fortunately, architects, specifiers and contractors are actively seeking out solutions to help mitigate the negative impact of this invisible contaminant. It’s encouraging to see this supported by government at the local level, as councils work to improve the lives of their communities.”

Find more information and case studies on Jacksons Fencing's website