Walk to school week in York

walking bus 2Thirty one schools and over 9,000 pupils across the city are taking part in the biggest ever Walk to School Week campaign which aims to encourage even more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

The school that gets the highest number of pupils walking, cycling or scooting throughout the week will win the coveted Jack Archer award and £300, funded by Age UK.

‘Scoot to School’ day will also take place on Wednesday 14 October. To encourage students to scoot the school with the most pupils who scoot to school on that day will win a Scooter Pod worth £300 donated by CyclePod.

It is recommended that children aged five to sixteen do at least sixty  minutes of physical activity that gets their heart beating faster than usual and they need to do it everyday to burn off calories and prevent them storing up excess fat in the body.

Regular activity is also important for adults and it is recommended that adults make sure they’re active for just 30 minutes each day, or 150 minutes a week.

The scheme is also targeted at families who normally take the car, and encourages them to consider walking or cycling to school instead.

Residents can find out more about changing the way they travel in York at: www.itravelyork.info/

Walk to school week

City of York Council is gearing up for Walk to School Week, which takes place between 18 – 22 May.

Nineteen primary schools across the city are taking part in this year’s campaign to encourage even more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

walking bus 2

Christine Packer, School Travel Advisor at City of York Council, said: “Walk to School week is a great chance for pupils who might not be currently walking, scooting or cycling to try changing the way in which they travel to school. This is a popular campaign in York which brings many benefits including improving the environment and health – children who walk to school are proven to be more alert in lessons. This also helps towards the 60-minutes of recommended daily exercise. ”

Jonathan Green, Head Teacher from Archbishop of York Junior school in Bishopthorpe, said: “We always encourage our pupils to walk and cycle to school, particularly during walk to school week because of the benefits to the children. Research shows those who cycle or walk to school can demonstrate a measurable increase in concentration that lasts for up to four hours. Plus, children feel healthier, they are sharper, more ready to learn and are more likely to arrive at school in a more positive frame of mind.”

Children aged five to 16 need to do at least 60  minutes of physical activity that gets their heart beating faster than usual and they need to do it everyday to help them keep fit and healthy.

Regular activity is also important for adults and it is recommended that adults make sure they’re active for just 30 minutes each day, or 150 minutes a week. Just walking their children to school and back each day will meet this target for adults.

The scheme is also targeted at families who normally take the car, and encourages them to consider walking, scooting or cycling to school instead.

Residents can find out more about changing the way they travel in York at: www.itravelyork.info/

Walk to school week from Monday in York

walking bus
York is gearing up for Walk to School Week, taking place from 19 – 23 May.

Twenty seven schools across the city are taking part in this year’s campaign to encourage even more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

Children aged five to 16 need to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity that gets their heart beating faster than usual and they need to do it everyday to burn off calories and prevent them storing up excess fat in the body.

Regular activity is also important for adults and it is recommended that adults make sure they’re active for just 30 minutes each day, or 150 minutes a week.

The scheme is also targeted at families who normally take the car, and encourages them to consider walking or cycling to school instead.

Residents can find out more about changing the way they travel in York at: http://www.itravelyork.info/

Walk to School Week

walking bus 2

Walk to School Week is taking place from 7 -11 October.

27 schools will by vying for the coveted Jack Archer trophy which will be on offer to the school that gets the most pupils walking, cycling and scooting.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Jack Archer Trophy the council will be matching Age UK’s prize of £200, giving the winning school £400 to spend on sports equipment. The runners up will receive £200 for sports equipment and third place will win hi-viz jackets for their class.

On Wednesday 9 October there will be a bonus prize given to the school with the most people who ride a scooter to school. The prize is a Scooter Pod for the school which is worth £300.

Walking to school has many benefits, helping both the environment and health. Children who walk to school are proven to be more alert in lessons, parents too at work. A 15 minute walk will provide a child with a quarter of the 60 minutes of recommended daily exercise.

To find out more about changing the way you travel in York go to http://www.itravelyork.co.uk/