Step By Step! Ashcombe Pupils Walk Their Way to a Healthier Future (By Charlie, Jack, Max and Imogen, age 9 and 10)
By Charlie, Jack, Max and Imogen (age 9 and 10), Good News Room at Ashcombe Primary School
Ashcombe Primary School pupils are stepping up for the planet and their wellbeing by taking part in the national WOW Walk to School Challenge.
This initiative encourages children to walk, wheel or scoot to school, and the pupils at Ashcombe are already feeling the benefits.
Teacher Mrs Rose shared her enthusiasm for the challenge, explaining:
“It is good for your mental health and it’s good for the environment.”
Pupil Benny, aged 9, agreed, adding:
“It is good to walk to school because you won’t use any petrol, which is harmful to our planet.”
Why Are Small Steps So Important?
Walking may seem simple, but it has a huge impact on both health and the environment:
- Children are recommended to take 10,000–15,000 steps a day, making the school run a perfect opportunity to stay active.
- Walking instead of driving can reduce nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 23%, helping keep the air around school safer to breathe.
- Regular walking has a proven positive impact on mental health, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Ashcombe Joins the WOW Travel Tracker
Ashcombe is now proudly taking part in the WOW Travel Tracker, a pupil-led scheme run by Living Streets.
Every morning, children record how they travel to school using an interactive system. If they choose a sustainable method, such as walking, scooting or cycling, at least once a week for a whole month, they earn a special collectable WOW badge.
Colourful displays and posters around the school highlight the importance of choosing to walk and show how small actions can lead to big improvements in congestion, pollution and wellbeing.
