Why Walk To School?

Walking to school is well worth it!

S = SAFETY TRAINING

Walking regularly with a child from a young age enables them to develop life skills; preparing children with road safety and personal awareness skills.

C = CONGESTION reduction

Fewer cars on our roads is good for the environment and local communities; fewer cars at the school gate can make it safer for pupils making their way to and from school.

H = HEALTH benefits

Walking to and from school allows adults and children to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.

O = ON the ball at school

Pupils who walk to school arrive wide awake and are therefore more prepared for the school day ahead.

O = OUR fun and friendship

Friends and family can walk to and from school together and enjoy some quality time.

L = LEARNING for life

Walking regularly enables a child to become more familiar with their surroundings and provides them with the opportunity to learn about the weather and changing seasons first hand.

Did you know?

• Driving to school and back releases, on average, enough carbon dioxide to fill over 60 balloons! not to mention all the other nasty pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and particulates.
• There is strong evidence that the pollutants in exhaust fumes cause several
  thousand premature deaths each year, as well as making asthma worse, and
  affecting lung development.
• Pollution levels inside the car can be three times worse than on the pavement.
  At 8.50am, 1 in 5 cars on the road is on the school run, and three quarters of
  cars taking children to school return straight back home again.
• Cars produce most pollution when they drive short distances, with a cold engine,
  in stop start conditions - does that sound like your drive to school in the morning?

On Wednesday June 6th  2007, the children of Unsworth Primary School took part in a Balloon event organised in conjunction with Bury's School Travel Advisor Jayne Stuart.  With 60 children each holding up a balloon in the playground at hometime, Y6 children were on hand to inform parents why they should walk to school as they entered the playground!

Check out more about the Walking Bus and Balloon Event on the Walking Bus display in the School Hall  - coming soon!