Walking bus aims to cut Wilstead school's carbon footprint
A school is hoping to cut its carbon footprint and reduce anxiety thanks to a new ‘walking bus’.
Wilstead Primary School students meet up in Wixams to walk the 20-minute journey together, instead of taking a car ride.
And it had its first outing at a special opening event on September 3, when students were joined by police and councillor Marc Frost.
After a brief safety talk and warm-up walk, the pupils began their journey, displaying banners and costumes made from recyclable materials and enjoying music and bubbles along the way.
Upon arriving, the children received applause from parents – and were given a celebration breakfast, certificate and gift bag.
After the walk, one pupil said: “Can we do this all again tomorrow - it’s been the best day!”
Teresa Hawthorne, the project lead, said: “We had so many positive comments and words of encouragement from the local community on route, with people stopping and wishing us well and saying how brilliant the parade was. We also had comments from further afield from members of the community who had seen us en route whilst on their way to work and said how amazing it was!”
The school also hopes the walking bus will reduce anxiety-based school avoidance.
Headteacher Caron Brown said: “We are also working with emotionally based school avoidance in mind. We know that some children feel anxiety about school, and the transition from home to school is a major factor here. We are hoping that offering the opportunity to travel as part of a community offers children increased reassurance, making the journey more fun and less anxiety-inducing. “
Teresa added: “We had a good turnout and are hoping as word gets out that it becomes more established, and the walking bus will be a great new addition to our school, by helping families and the local community and by helping us reduce our carbon footprint as a school.”