Pupils in Wrexham are starting the day on the right foot with WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets.
In Wales, thousands of children are enjoying the benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling to school thanks to support from Welsh Government. As part of a two-year project, Living Streets Cymru is working with 170 primary schools and 42 secondary schools to deliver its walk to school programme in Wales.
Eight schools in Wrexham take part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets, which sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
Only around 50 per cent of primary school children in Wales walk to school and Living Streets is working to help more families choose cleaner and healthier ways to travel. WOW schools typically see an increase of 43 per cent in active journeys (where pupils, walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’) and a 59 per cent reduction in cars driving to the school gates.
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October is International Walk to School Month when pupils around the globe celebrate the joys of walking and wheeling to school. This year, Living Streets is encouraging children to go on an Autumn Street Safari by taking a few minutes of their walk to school to collect special items and celebrate autumn with some fun activities, which are also available in Welsh.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets, said: “Walking or wheeling to school is a fun and simple way for children to get the 60 active minutes a day recommended by health experts. It’s great for mental wellbeing and reduces congestion, carbon emissions and air pollution.
“I’m really pleased that pupils in Wrexham are enjoying the benefits of walking to school with WOW.”
Between September 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024, the eight Wrexham schools have seen an average:
- Increase of 68% in active travel to school rates
- Decrease of 74% in driving all the way to school
Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader and Climate Champion at Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “It’s really pleasing to see such positive figures. Active travel leads to better physical, mental and social health, plus it reduces noise pollution, air pollution and carbon emissions. More people embracing active travel will really make a difference against the climate emergency.”
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education at Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “I’m really pleased with how the eight schools have embraced the challenge, which has secured some impressive outcomes. The children, teachers, parents and caregivers should be very proud of their achievements.”
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