Youngsters from The Grove Primary School in Consett are putting their best feet forward to celebrate International Walk to School Walk to school month 2 Month.

The school has teamed up with house builder Barratt North East to encourage pupils to reap the benefits of walking to school throughout October.

The company, which is building new homes nearby at Berry Edge, has donated 50 hi-visibility vests to the school and hi-visibility wristbands to all pupils to help keep them safe.

Mrs Pauline Smith, Head Teacher at The Grove, said: “We live in such beautiful surroundings, so walking to school is a great way to increase fitness, meet other families and further extend our links with the community.

“Children arrive feeling refreshed and ready to learn, and it is a great way to engage them in the local area; talking about what they saw and what new developments are transpiring.

“They are also very aware of road safety issues and people who can help us to cross the road safely.

“It is great to see a developer support such a valuable initiative and we really appreciate the donation from Barratt Homes.”

Mike Roberts, Managing Director for Barratt North East, said: “We’re delighted to support the campaign. Our new homes developments are located close to schools and, as families move in, it makes perfect sense for us to support Walk to School Month.

“By donating the vests and wristbands, they will be encouraged to walk to school and can stay safe as winter approaches and the dark nights draw in.”

Despite the average distance to a pupil’s primary school being one mile, around 50 per cent of children do not walk to school regularly and 41 per cent are driven in cars.

It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Studies have shown that walking to school reduces stress in children and that simply walking one mile a day was found to curb increases in blood pressure and heart rate in later life.

The studies also revealed that 90 per cent of parents who walk to school with their children believe it’s a great way to spend quality time with them and over a third stated that the journey to and from school is where they find out most about their child’s day.

Details of Walk to School Month can be found at http://www.iwalktoschool.org/


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Chris Brown
Christopher Brown is Consett Magazine's lead journalist. Chris enjoys meeting with a whole host of different people to report on what's happening in Consett, Co.Durham.

1 COMMENT

  1. Maybe they could give the high vis vests to all the kids in the area.

    Great initiative, but could go further for helping the community.

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