Sound reasons for walking to school - 15-05-2008

The theme of Walk To School week this year is exploring the local environment through sound. Pupils are being asked to become "sound detectives" and pay special attention to the different types of street noise as they walk to school.

A total of 29 Reading Borough Council primary schools, two nursery schools and one independent school will take part in this year's Walk to School Week, which runs from Monday, May 19, to Friday, May 23.

More than two million primary school children across the UK are expected to walk to school during national Walk To School week. But worryingly 50 per cent of primary school children don't walk to school regularly and 41 per cent of pupils are still driven to school in cars.

The Walk To School campaign encourages pupils and parents to reconsider their school journey and enjoy the many benefits of walking.

Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets (the charity that runs Walk To School week) said: "With the Government's latest figures suggesting that one in three Year Six pupils are overweight or obese, the Walk To School campaign is even more important. We're calling on all pupils to take part."

Anna Wright, Director of Education and Children's Services, said: "Walking your children to school is good for them - and good for you. It's far more stimulating than sitting in a traffic jam and it's a good opportunity to help children develop vital road safety skills.

"Walking to school also reduces traffic generated by the school run, which is a plus for road safety, especially near schools.

"But the really great thing about walking to school with children is that it's a win-win situation. It's good for children, good for parents and good for the environment."

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