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Pupils encouraged to make the most of their journeys to school

Whitfield St James' deputy head teacher Leo Ford, PCSO Ann Morris and Tracy Jones, Move More Glossop's Helen Thornhill and pupils who have been travelling to school on their bikes and scooters. Picture: John Parkins.

A campaign has been taking place this week to encourage pupils and parents to make the most of their journeys to school to help them keep fit, as well as reduce traffic and pollution. 

Whitfield St James', Saint Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy and Dinting CE Primary School have taken part in Travel Smart Week - Derbyshire County Council's sustainable travel campaign for schools, which takes place each year in May and October. 

Of course, the overriding message is that youngsters remember to stay safe when making their way to and from school. 

This year's campaign has a musical influence, with the theme 'Choose your move and get into the Travel Smart groove'. 

Pupils and parents have been encouraged to let their feet walk to beat or to go spinning around on people powered wheels for their journey to school.

During the week, the children have taken part in various activities, including looking at maps of the local area to plan a safe easy route from their homes by walking, cycling or scooting and for those that live too far from the school, to think about parking away from the school and walking the final part of the journey.

Each of the three schools has taken part in the 'Move More Maisie Mouse takes part in Travel Smart Week' story and activities. 


Move More Maisie Mouse takes part in Travel Smart Week

The story was designed to enable younger pupils to understand the benefits of walking, cycling and scooting to school, as well as get them to think about the safe routes, safe crossing, and practical things such as dressing appropriately for the weather.

Additionally, for two weeks, Whitfield St James’ have been taking part in road safety awareness with local PCSO Ann Morris.

They have also been researching maps to create their 10-minute neighbourhood. On these maps, the pupils draw a perimeter that shows everything that's within a 10-minute radius from their school or their home. 

It's designed to break down the idea that they always need to jump into the car to get to places within that radius. These activities will encourage children to incorporate walking into their daily lives, and help them reach the 60 active minutes that children should be doing to ensure a healthy lifestyle. 

The Chadwick Street school will be awarded two stars towards their ModeShift Star accreditation as a Safe Active Travel school. 

Helen Thornhill, at Move More Glossop, said: "I'm delighted to see so many pupils getting involved in the Travel Smart Week. It would be great if the other schools in Glossop could also encourage pupils to walk, cycle or scoot to school and enjoy the benefits of exercise, the fresh air and time with family and friends whilst on their school journey.

"The benefits of traveling locally on foot are huge, including better behaviour, improved attainment, improved mood, increased energy to name just a few." 


Two pupils from Saint Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy who have been taking part in Travel Smart Week 

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