Walk to School Month

Walk to School Month

About this activity

Suitable for primary school pupils.

October's International Walk to School Month helps to encourage and embed active travel behaviours within your school community. It's also an opportunity to be part of a global campaign which can get your pupils walking alongside young people in over 40 countries.

You’ll find lots of activities on this website that can be run throughout the month to keep it fun and inspiring. Take a look at Park and Stride, walking zones and brighten your bag. Or you can organise a sponsored walk. See Coopers' Company and Coborn School's themed sponsored walk poster for inspiration!

Involve your Junior Travel Ambassadors (JTA) in the planning and speak to neighbouring schools and your borough officer for ideas and support.

Running the activity

Living Streets has a resource pack to support your Walk to School Month. Their classroom packs are available in the autumn term and provide everything you need for a class of 30 pupils to take part. This includes wallcharts, activity diaries and a series of fun walking challenges. 

You can also use our pedometre challenge record sheet to keep track of how much your pupils are walking.

How to evidence your activity

  • Involve your borough officer: Share your ideas, agree your targets and discuss any challenges you face
  • Record the feedback from your pupils. Note how they have used the resources and how this has helped you meet your targets
  • Add your story to the STARS website. Explain your activity, add photos of your pupils taking part in the event or receiving prizes and include their feedback. Also include any posters, letters and promotional materials you have used

Activity steps

1
Get ready
Speak to your borough officer or visit the Living Streets' website (see Resources) to get all the information you need to get started
2
Plan a fun-filled Walk to School Month
Involve your JTAs in the planning and use our range of activity cards to help you plan the month ahead
3
Speak to your neighbours
Find out which other schools in your borough are taking part in the month and join forces for extra impact
4
Promote your walking activities
Put up posters or do a performance (see Resources), include an article in the school newsletter or on the website and social media to let everyone know what you have planned and how they can take part
5
Track progress
Track your pupils’ progress in class (see Resources) and invite your wider school community to commit to their own walking goals
6
Celebrate everyone’s walking efforts
Over the month celebrate those who are taking part by sharing their efforts and achievements with the school
7
Tell your story
Feedback to your borough officer and add your story to the STARS website

Tags

  • Walking

This activity counts towards:

  • Travel activity

How it helps

  • Can reduce air pollution around schools
  • Encourages parental participation
  • Supports health challenges and goals

Resources

Useful links, templates and case studies to support this activity