Local pupils lead the way with Eco-Schools ‘Walking Bus’ and active travel week

Pupils at Welford, Sibbertoft and Sulby Endowed School, part of the Peterborough Diocese Education trust (PDET), stepped up their commitment to sustainability as part of their Eco-Schools work on transport by taking part in a dedicated Walk to School initiative aligned with the national Living Streets campaign.

Throughout the week, children were encouraged to travel to school in active ways, including walking, cycling, scooting or wheeling. Families who lived further afield were also encouraged to Park & Stride, helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality around the school gates.

For their participation, pupils were able to wear funky socks each day they travelled actively, with bonus playtime awarded to the class achieving the highest percentage of active travel across the week.

The week finished with the whole community taking part in a special “Walking Bus” event on Friday morning, with staff leading a walking route around the village. The bus set off from school at 8.15am, collecting pupils along the route as it passed their homes before returning to school in time for gates opening at 8.45am.

Abbie Underwood, Principal at the school, said: “This has been a brilliant opportunity for our pupils to think differently about how they travel to school and the impact their choices can have on the environment.

“The enthusiasm from children and families was fantastic, and the Walking Bus was a wonderful way to bring the whole community together.”

The school’s Eco Squad also extended invitations to local representatives, with MP Stuart Andrew and West Northamptonshire Councillor Christine Ware both joining pupils, families and staff for the walk.

Ruth Walker-Green, CEO at the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust, of which the school is part, added: “We are incredibly proud of the way pupils are leading on sustainability and taking real ownership of environmental change.

“Working together really does have such a positive impact on their local community, and we are delighted to see the enthusiasm shown by all involved.”