Primary pupils show that it’s good to walk

WOW encourages healthier lifestyle for children

Pupils in Renfrewshire will be getting to school on the right foot with a new walk to school challenge.

Renfrewshire Council has teamed up with walking charity Living Streets Scotland to start WOW.

WOW is a behaviour change scheme that rewards pupils who walk to school at least once a week with collectible badges. Pupils log their daily journeys to school on the WOW Travel Tracker.

Living Streets Scotland said schools that take part in WOW see an average 23 per cent increase in pupils walking to school and a corresponding drop in car use.

This means there is less congestion outside the school gates and children are safer.

Bishopton Primary has already signed up and head teacher Wendy McNaught said: “We encourage all of our children to be as active as possible and walking to school is a great way to do this.

“As well as all of the positive health benefits for children, it’s great for parents and carers too.

“Leaving the car at home is a great start in preparing our children for a healthy, active lifestyle and it also helps to reduce congestion at the school gates.”

Councillor Natalie Don, deputy convener of the infrastructure, land and environment policy board said: “Walking to school is proven to have great positive impacts on both children’s health and learning outcomes and I am confident that schemes like these will have long-lasting benefits for our children.

“I am delighted so many schools across Renfrewshire have joined the Living Streets scheme.”

Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s communities, housing and planning policy board, Councillor Marie McGurk said: “Walking to school is a great way of increasing children’s confidence as well as building healthy habits that will hopefully stand them in good stead.”

The 15 Renfrewshire schools that have signed up join over 230 schools across Scotland already taking part in WOW and enjoying the benefits of the programme.

Rebecca Simpson, schools manager for Living Streets Scotland, said: “Walking to school is an easy and accessible way for children to incorporate physical activity in to their daily lives, helping them arrive fit, refreshed and ready to learn. Walking to school is also a great way for children to learn vital road safety skills and build lifelong healthy habits.

“WOW is simple to run and pupils love to take part. Just a few minutes of a teacher’s day is all it takes to make a big difference.”

Walking to school is a great way increasing children’s confidence as well as building healthy habits Marie McGurk