Walk to School Week

Between 16th and 20th May it's National Walk to School Week. 

Fosse 107 walked to school with hundreds of pupils, parents and staff of Sketchley Hill Primary in Burbage as they launched their park and stride event from Sketchley Grange hotel to the school gates. 

An incredible turn out this morning to celebrate #WalkToSchoolWeek. Over 300 children walked to school with Dee from @LeicsCountyHall and @fosse107! Well done everyone! #teamwork #enthusiasm pic.twitter.com/7GchrerUzH

— Sketchley Hill (@SketchleyHill) May 17, 2022

If your school is getting involved with National Walk to School week, send us your pictures and we could be mentioning you on air!!

The five-day walking challenge is an annual celebration of the walk to school.

Through this challenge, children will be well on their way to reaching their recommended 60 minutes minimum of physical activity per day before even reaching the school gates! 

Last year, a record number of over 350,000 pupils across the UK took part! Join this growing movement of children walking to school and help us make 2022 our biggest year yet!

What is Park and Stride?

Park & Stride is a new programme to get children walking safely to school has been piloted in parts of the county.

In partnership with Leicestershire County Council, several schools have debuted ‘park and stride’ schemes.

‘Park and stride’ schemes involve the use of nearby car parks for children to then walk the rest of the way- normally five to ten minutes- to school. This is either accompanied by their parents, carers, or guardians.

The schemes aim to reduce traffic congestion, as well as helping children to be more active while benefiting the environment.

The launch of the scheme at All Saints Church of England Primary School in Sapcote was a great success, with over 100 children – equivalent to more than one third of the school – taking part.

The Park and Stride scheme is a really exciting new way we can tackle several problems at once.

Park and strides can help reduce traffic congestion, get kids active and healthier and reduce air pollution near schools all at once.

I’m pleased we’ve got several schools which have taken up this option to begin with, and I look forward to park and stride coming to even more schools very soon.

Person:Councillor Ozzy O' Shea

Children at Sherrier Primary in Lutterworth took part in their own park and stride scheme, with the children acting as junior safety officers, teaching their peers about road safety.

Four schools have signed up to the launch of the park and stride scheme. The schools involved in the trial were:

• Townlands Primary in Earl Shilton
• All Saints Primary in Sapcote
• Woodland Grange Primary in Oadby
• Sherrier Primary in Lutterworth

It is hope that park and stride will expand out to include more schools over time.

More schemes will open next month to mark National Walking Month. 

Schools are also encouraged to work with local businesses to launch their own park and stride schemes, such as by using local car parks which are available at off peak times.

If you would like to launch a park and stride scheme with your local school, please contact choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.