Ready to WOW with Walk to School

children walking crop

Is your school ready to WOW with the Walk to School challenge?
This year we're walking with imagination!

Oxfordshire County Council is partnering with Living Streets to provide free resources and support for schools taking part in the WOW Walk to School challenge.

Until the 25 November, schools in Oxfordshire who have not tried the Walk to School challenge in the last three years, can sign up to secure one of 20 fully funded places for the 2024/5 challenge.

Schools who have joined the challenge so far have seen an average 23 per cent increase in active travel journeys to school and a 30 per cent reduction in reliance on private car journeys to school.

How it works:

WOW began as a Walk on Wednesday or Walk once a Week initiative to promote walking to school regularly at least once a week for students and their parents/carers.

The increase in physical activity levels can improve physical health, whilst helping pupils to feel more energised in the mornings and more ready to focus on their studies. There is also the opportunity for parents/carers and children to socialise on the school run, boosting wellbeing and sense of community.

Pupils walking, wheeling, cycling, scooting or parking-and-striding to school at least once a week can earn monthly collectable badges with a unique, imaginative transportation design for each month. The badges are inspired by competition entries to design the badges from primary school students across Britain.

A key stage one teacher from Chilton Primary School in South Oxfordshire, whose school took part in the challenge last year said:
"The children love coming in and recording how they have travelled to school and there is always great excitement when it's 'badge time' at the end of the month!
Many children enjoy collecting all the badges and it encourages them to try to 'park and stride' to school rather than drive in order to be eligible."

It doesn't have to be just walking to school - there are other ways to get the badges too. Living Streets' schools team and Oxfordshire County Council officers offer support to schools to help make sure the challenge is inclusive and find more ways students can take part - including playground activities, physical activity lunch clubs and even class walks.

Cllr John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People's Services, said:
"Walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school is a fun and refreshing start to the day. It helps to boost a positive bond with friends and family, spark interest and curiosity in the world around us, and of course helps us feel a little bit more healthy and energised.

"It's wonderful to hear that this year the challenge is to fill the school journey with your imagination and I'm looking forward to hearing about the exciting travels - commanding a Viking longboat, steering a super-powered magic scooter or riding a bus with the floor made of lava…the possibilities are endless!"

Walk to School Challenge schools receive a full welcome pack with resources, class guides and a poster as well as support to help kick-off the challenge for their school, and a virtual launch assembly to introduce the challenge to students.

The schools get access to a fun Walk to School travel tracker which works with education whiteboards, computers and iPads. For the pupils, the tracker features engaging graphics and relatable icons for recording their journeys - including walking frames and wheelchairs as well as walking, bicycles and scooters. For education staff and leaders, it forms a great part of data logging which contributes to the school's travel planning performance including its national awards Modeshift STARSand Healthy Schoolsstatus.

Want to get your boots on? Your school can sign up with Living Streetsfor the Walk to School challenge until Friday 25 November.

You can find out more about the Walk to School challenge on Living Streets' website:
livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/primary-schools/wow-the-walk-to-school-challenge/
It doesn't have to be just walking to school - there are other ways to get the badges too:
More than just walking: WOW in SEND schools

Glossary of terms:

• Wheeling - travelling using a wheeled mobility aid - such as a wheelchair, rollator, or mobility scooter.
• Park-and-stride - a school run can also include a short walk to the school gates by parking safely ten minutes' walk away and completing the last bit of the journey actively.
• KS1 - Key stage 1 is an educational stage - meaning the first stage of primary school education in England - referring to five- to seven-year-olds.

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