Notwithstanding the unseasonal weather, pupils, parents, and staff at Tollerton Primary School are embracing National Walk to School week which runs from 20-24 May.
Despite Monday’s drizzle, 140 children walked, cycled, or scootered to school, that’s 70% of the school’s roll and Tuesday’s heavy rain didn’t deter enthusiasm either!
The school’s Walking Bus, which launched after Easter, is growing with a steady increase in the number of families choosing to ‘stop and drop’. 28 children travelled ‘on’ the bus on Tuesday, to put that into context, that’s almost a whole class.
This is having a very positive impact on the amount of traffic around school which is very hazardous and often a cause of frustration for local residents.
Year 6 children have been travelling to school on their bikes as they are completing the ever- popular Bikeability course offered by VIA East Midlands.
The children who arrive early at the school’s Breakfast Club have been enjoying an early morning walk around the school’s playing field with some of the school’s teaching staff so, every child is being given the opportunity to take part.
Headteacher Katie Smith said “It is a joy to see so many children and families playing their part. You can’t help but smile when you see a huge group of children chatting away on their walk to school. Initiatives like this are only successful because staff and parents willingly give of their time to provide opportunities for children, and I am very grateful to them all”.
Deputy Headteacher Luci Gordon who leads the school’s sustainability agenda said “We try to teach our children how to make healthy lifestyle choices and walking or cycling to school is such a great way to start the day. That said, it would be far more enjoyable walking in bright sunshine!”
On Friday, during their weekly Celebration Assembly, every child who has walked, cycled, or scootered everyday will receive a badge made out of yogurt pots and other plastics that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Mrs Smith went on to say, “Nothing would please me more than to be awarding 140 badges during what would very definitely be a longer than normal end of week assembly!”.
For further details about Walk to School Week 2024, visit www.livingstreets.org.uk
