Walking to school - the way forward
For one week this month over two million primary school children across the UK will walk to school for national Walk To School week (19-23 May 2008).
Fifty per cent of primary school children still don't walk to school regularly and 41% of pupils are driven to school in cars – a trend that is on the increase despite.
The Walk To School campaign encourages pupils and parents to reconsider their school journey and enjoy the many benefits of walking.
Tony Armstrong, CEO of campaign organisers Living Streets said: “With the government’s latest figures suggesting that one in three year six pupils are overweight or obese, the Walk To School campaign is even more important. We’re calling on all pupils to take part.”
The theme of Walk To School week changes each year and this year’s focus is on exploring the local environment through sound.
Pupils are being asked to become “sound detectives” and pay special attention to the different types of street noise as they walk to school.
Louise Waters, Walk To School co-ordinator, said: “Walking is the most environmentally friendly and healthy form of transport. It offers independence and flexibility and the more children walk, the more confident and responsible they become - making for a better society all round."
