Pupils at Warddykes Primary School in Arbroath were joined by a special guest today (Thu 24 Oct) to celebrate the launch of WOW – the year-round walk to school challenge from Living Streets Scotland for Angus Council.
It marks the second year that Angus schools have taken part in the charity’s national walk to school challenge.
Strider – the Living Streets mascot – met with pupils and their teachers at a special assembly to celebrate the start of another year of active travel.
Nine Angus primary schools will join Warddykes Primary School in taking part in WOW. WOW rewards children who walk to school at least once a week with a recyclable, collectable badge each month, with ten to collect across the academic year.
Children arrive at school and log their journeys on the WOW Travel Tracker. This allows the school to see which pupils have earned a badge and to monitor walking rates across the year.
WOW schools see an average 23% increase in pupils walking to school, with a corresponding drop in car use and a reduction in congestion outside the school gates, as well as air quality improvements and increased safety.
Rebecca Simpson, Project Manager, Living Streets Scotland said:
“Walking to school is an easy and accessible way for children to fit more movement into their day. It helps them arrive fit, refreshed and ready to learn.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Angus again this year, helping more families reap the benefits of safer and greener streets.”
The programme is funded by Angus Council through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding, which is managed by Paths for All on behalf of Transport Scotland.
Lesley Cook, School Travel Co-ordinator, Schools & Learning said:
“Angus Council is delighted to be taking part in this initiative once again and to continue the good work that started last year.
“We actively encourage pupils to walk to/from school as much as possible. Taking part in WOW allows young people to be rewarded in the form of a different badge each month.”
Angus Council
Angus Council works to create strong secure communities, an enterprising workforce, and sustainable development over the range of public services for which it has responsibility. We are a customer and citizen focused organisation and work to deliver accessible, effective and efficient services for the county\'s population.
