Schools take on Big Walk challenge

ELEVEN schools in Reading have contributed more than 16,000 journeys to the UK’s largest walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school challenge.

Sustrans Big Walk and

Wheel, saw schools across the UK complete active journeys and physical activities between Monday, March 21, and Friday, April 1.

During the competition, thousands of school children in Reading were walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting, contributing 16,744 journeys and physical activities in the area.

If those journeys in Reading had been made by car, this could have created 12,000 tonnes of CO2.

Speaking about the results of the Big Walk and Wheel competition, Sarah Leeming, interim director for south of England at Sustrans, said: “Travelling sustainably for the equivalent of so many trips around the world, goes to show the positive impact we can have together by swapping to active travel for everyday journeys like the school run.”

Top of the leaderboard in Reading for the “Small Primary School” category was New Christ Church CE Primary.

The school finished 150th nationally with a daily average of 75% of pupils logging active travel journeys and physical activity.

Coming top in the “Large Primary School” category for Reading was Coley Primary who secured 291st place nationally with an average daily score of 65.4%.

Frances Martin, Reading Borough Council’s executive director for economic growth and neighbourhood services, said: “It is now three years since the council declared a climate emergency and we remain committed to creating a net zero carbon Reading by 2030

“The success of that pledge depends on buy-in from the whole of Reading’s community, which is why it is so wonderful to hear of the tremendous efforts of local schools.

“We will continue to support efforts to encourage more walking, scooting and cycling.”