Walk to School Week takes place from 16–22 May and this year looks to be bigger – and wilder – than ever.
Walk to School Week is organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking and happens during National Walking Month each May. The challenge is a great way to celebrate walking and can be a stepping stone to year-round activity. Last year, over 14,000 classes took part; that’s approximately 400,000 children walking to school.
This year’s Walk to School Week theme is ‘Strider’s Walk in the Wild’ with resources focusing on the walking habits and natural environments of different animal species and providing daily curriculum-linked activities for KS1 and KS2.
The fundraising element of Walk to School Week takes place on Tuesday 17 May, or ‘Happy Shoesday’. Children and staff wear the shoes that make them the happiest and donate £1.
Money raised will go to Living Streets for work with schools, disability groups and local communities, and our campaigning work to make UK streets safer for everyone.
Tompion Platt, head of policy, Living Streets, said: “Walking to school is a free and easy way for children to build exercise into their day. Physically active children are more alert, ready to learn and achieve better grades than those who are driven.
“The majority of children are not getting their recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. At Living Streets, we know that encouraging more children to walk to school is one of the best places to start to tackle this inactivity.
“Walk to School Week is a really effective way of encouraging families to swap four wheels for two feet. I’d encourage anyone to get involved and take part in something great.”
