Join Walk to School Week this May! From 16-20 May, over 1 million children across the UK will ditch the school run. It’s all part of National Walking Month and is run by Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians.
Walking is healthy, green, fun and free. Yet today, less than half of all primary school children walk to school, and our obesity, pollution and congestion levels are rising.
We’re here to help anyone who wants to start walking to school – whether that’s all the way, parking up and walking the last 10 minutes, or just getting off the bus early. It all counts!
The Walk to School campaign helps children get walking throughout the year, and we have a range of helpful resources, from classroom wallcharts to collectable pin badges. Teachers, parents and education professionals can find lots of classroom resources and free downloads at www.walktoschool.org.uk
How does WoW work?
Children record how they travel to school, on a class wall chart or individual postcards. If they walk at least four times a month, they receive a badge, all of which are highly collectable.
The badges run from September to July and are designed by the children themselves in a national competition. Each year Living Streets sets a theme for the badges, such as ‘Nature in the UK’ or ‘My Walk to School’.
To read more from real life resident and mum of three, Tracey Coleman, view October's Supplement. (PDF 1.8MB)
How to get involved
If you are a parent wanting to start WoW at your child’s school, and you’re not sure who to talk to, try the PE teacher, travel plan lead, healthy schools lead, PSHE lead or the head teacher.
If you are a teacher, please contact Jennifer.wiles@livingstreets.org.uk. She is the local Walk to School Coordinator and can answer any of your queries about the scheme.
For more information, visit the Walk to School website. To find our more about Living Streets, please visit the website.