Pupils WOW with their great strides in walking to school
23 May 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Find out more about the Big Northumberland Gear Change here
Schools across Northumberland celebrated Living Streets’ Walk to School Week in style with events taking place to share the benefits of active travel.
Pupils from Malvin’s Close Academy in Blyth were joined by Ian Levy MP and Northumberland’s Director of Education, David Street, who came along to find out more about WOW – the walk to school challenge from charity Living Streets, which sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker.
Walk to School Week is organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking as part of their National Walking Month campaign each May.
Families are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.
On average, WOW schools see a 30 per cent reduction in car journeys taken to the school gates and a 23 per cent increase in walking rates.
Nationally, 43 per cent of 5–10-year-olds are driven to school. However, just 22 per cent of journeys recorded on the WOW Travel Tracker by pupils Malvin’s Close Academy are car trips all the way to the school gates.
William, 9, a pupil at Malvin’s Close Academy, said: “I like walking to school as it doesn’t cause much pollution and so it helps the environment and it doesn’t cause some animals to go to the edge of extinction. I feel really happy that I’m helping towards stopping the ice melting as it's affecting the life of Emperor Penguins.”
Ian Levy MP for Blyth Valley said: “I had a lovely morning talking to pupils and teachers at Malvin’s Close Academy as part of Walk to School Week and hearing about their efforts to walk to school.
“I’m very impressed to see how the school is working with Living Streets to make the walk to school an accessible option for pupils and their families. I’m sure this will motivate other children to make the most of the physical and mental health and environmental benefits that come from walking more.
“It’s been a fantastic start to the day, it’s woken me up and I’m raring to go!”
Northumberland County Council is trying to get more schools involved in sustainable travel by introducing the Big Northumberland Gear Change.
The aim is to get more people thinking twice before picking up their car keys, given that a third of all trips made in the county are less than 5km.
The switch aims to improve physical and mental health, while also helping the environment by reducing carbon emissions.
David Street, Director of Education, Northumberland County Council, said: “In Northumberland, Walk to School Week is a key week to highlight the importance of sustainable travel for the journey to school and also reduce congestion at the school gate.
“We have many schools across the county taking part in the 5 Day Walk to School Week Challenge and schools are also planning other activities to promote walking, such as setting up a Park and Stride or running community litter picks.
“It’s been inspiring to join the pupils on the walk to school this morning and see how passionate they are about promoting active travel.”
Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Choosing to walk or wheel to school helps children meet the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day. It also reduces traffic, congestion and carbon emissions, which leads to improved air quality.”
Find out more about the Big Northumberland Gear Change here