Reading Pupils to Take Part in The Great Space Walk

Pupils from 26 Reading primary schools and nurseries will be joining 800 schools across the country taking part in Walk to School Week next week (19-23 May). 

The Council has funded classroom packs for schools which have registered for the national event which aims to get children walking, cycling and scooting over the five days.

A further 21 Little Feet packs have been sent to schools and nurseries for younger children.

This year has seen the highest number of Reading schools participating since Council funding started in 2021, when 15 schools took part.

Walk to School Week supports the Council’s transport ambitions of encouraging more active travel, such as cycling and walking, on the school run and, as a result, support better physical and mental health, lower carbon generation and improve air quality.

It is hoped that participating in Walk to School Week will encourage children and parents to walk or wheel to school at other times throughout the year.

Even parking a little way from school reduces congestion and air pollution around the school gates and improves road safety. Children can walk or wheel the last few minutes into school and still earn their Walk to School reward.

The annual Walk to School Week is organised by the Living Streets charity which also runs National Walking Month throughout May.

This year’s challenge will see pupils taking on The Great Space Walk to encourage them to travel actively to school throughout the week.

The Council-funded packs are filled with fun activities for pupils to complete on their way to school and in the classroom.

Children can track their progress each day on the interactive classroom wallchart while individual activity diaries, daily stickers and end of week pupil rewards will help keep up motivation.

Every day, participants will also learn about the many benefits of walking or wheeling, including improved physical and mental health, road safety and sustainability.

The Little Feet packs for two to five-year-olds introduce the benefits of walking to young children and their families.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“It is brilliant that so many children will be walking and wheeling to class as part of Walk to School Week this year.

“I am delighted that a record 26 Reading primary schools and nurseries have signed up for the activity packs which the Council has funded again this year.

“Children taking part will enjoy a healthy and active start to the day and the community will benefit from less traffic and cleaner air around schools.

“It may not be possible for everyone to take part every day but every walk or wheel to school helps.”

The Council also encourages the reduction of traffic around school gates with the School Streets scheme. Six School Streets are in operation around the borough, covering 10 schools. They allow the temporary closure to traffic of a road outside a school during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times to create a healthier and safer environment for children. Visit: https://www.reading.gov.uk/vehicles-roads-and-transport/travel-to-school/school-streets/ for more information.