SCHOOLS across Reading have signed up to take part The Great Space Walk next week.
Pupils from 26 schools will be participating in Reading Borough Council’s drive to get kids walking to school for Walk to School Week next week.
From May 19-23, 800 schools across the country will be taking part in an effort to encourage active travel to school, including walking, cycling, and scooting.
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.
This year has seen the highest number of Reading schools participating since council funding started in 2021, when 15 schools took part.
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 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, allowing 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.
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.”
More information about school streets is available via: reading.gov.uk/vehicles-roads-and-transport/travel-to-school
More information about Walk to School Week is available via: livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/primary-schools
