Pupils at a County Durham school are celebrating placing on a national leader board of most active schools.
St. Michael’s C Of E Primary School in Ferryhill finished ninth on the WOW Top Ten leaderboard in England for June 2024.
WOW – the walk to school challenge from charity Living Streets sees pupils record how they get to school, with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
This term, pupils took part in the summer WOW Top Ten which asked them to walk to school as many times as possible in June. Pupils who live too far away or are not able to walk the whole way to school were encouraged to Park and Stride by asking their parents or carers to park at least ten minutes away from the school and walk or wheel the rest of the way.
St. Michael’s C Of E Primary School beat off competition from 1,180 eligible schools taking part in WOW across England to secure their place on the national leaderboard of most active schools.
In England, 41 per cent of 5–10-year-olds are normally driven to school. However, less than one per cent of journeys recorded on the interactive WOW Travel Tracker by pupils at St. Michael’s C Of E Primary School during June were car trips all the way to the school gate.
Anne-Marie Orchard, HLTA & WOW Champion, St. Michael’s C Of E Primary School said: “We are delighted to achieve ninth place on the leaderboard nationally for the first-time ever! Not only that the children of St. Michael’s C of E Primary School topped the leaderboard for County Durham. We are so proud of all of our children for continuing to actively travel to school, where possible. Earning badges for travelling actively is a great incentive, something which our children thrive from. “
Katherine Holcroft, Head of Major Projects, Living Streets said: “Congratulations to pupils from St. Michael’s C Of E Primary School for making it into the WOW Top Ten. Walking and wheeling to school keeps us fit, healthy and happy – and it reduces congestion, air pollution and road danger outside the school gates.
“It’s great to hear that their pupils are benefitting from walking to school. I’m sure that they will inspire other children and their families to follow in their footsteps.”
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
