Image: Living Streets
Barking & Dagenham school pupils are encouraging their parents and carers to swap the car for the cycle, scooter or a walk.
Pupils at Grafton Primary School were recently visited by Strider, Living Streets’ mascot, as part of the WOW initiative.
WOW encourages pupils and families to take part in healthier school commutes by making it easier and safer for pupils and parents to ditch the car as part of their school commute.
Living Streets says WOW schools typically see a 23% increase in walk to school rates and a 30% reduction in cars at the school gates.
Martin Nicholson, headteacher at Grafton Primary School, said: “Embarking on the WOW walk to school challenge has been fantastic for our pupils and our school.
“Walking, cycling, or scooting to school are great ways of helping our children feel happier and healthier. Our pupils are arriving at school more refreshed and ready to learn – there’s been a noticeable difference in their concentration levels.”
Be First, the independent urban regeneration company wholly owned by Barking and Dagenham Council, is working with schools within the borough to get more school children involved in the WOW initiative.
Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, cabinet member for educational attainment and school improvement at Barking & Dagenham Council, said: “The WOW walk to school challenge is important on several levels.
“From a student wellbeing perspective, it promotes mental and physical health. In terms of what it means for the borough, one in four cars on the road each morning in the UK is on the school run, so having fewer cars on the roads improves road safety around our schools, as well as reducing vehicle emissions in the area.
“We’re proud to work with Living Streets on WOW and to continue our school’s active travel programme to deliver a safer and healthier Barking and Dagenham.”