Walk to School Week walking bus success
Today has marked the start of National Walk to School Week and a Nuneaton school has been delighted with the support of parents with a walking bus.
This morning saw 18 parents turn out with their children at the Post Office in Chesterton Drive and then make their way to Galley Common Infant School in Plough Hill Road.
Galley Common’s efforts have been reflected across Warwickshire as the county puts its best foot forward from today until Friday with a whopping 107 of Warwickshire’s schools this year taking part in promoting the healthier way of getting to school.
An estimated 30,000 Warwickshire children are hoping to join in by walking the whole or part of the way to school.
Many schools are also involved in the “How many steps are on your road?” challenge.
This is an interactive and visual way for the children to record their walking efforts during Walk to School Week. It involves children putting a brightly coloured shoe on a road display if they walk to school. Many children will also receive diaries to record what they see on the way to school and a sticker as a reward for walking.
Laura Vesty, Sustainable Travel Officer for Warwickshire County Council said: “Nowadays children spend much of their time in a car or in front of the TV or computer. Walking to school offers a safe way of introducing children to the world outside. Many children are now afraid to go outside and this is often because they haven’t had enough experience of walking in their local area.”
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “Walking your child to school at least once a week can significantly increase their self confidence and gives them essential road safety awareness skills. Walking to school also allows children to spend quality time with their parents or friends and enjoy the sights and sounds of the stimulating world around them.”