Around 11,000 pupils from 37 primary schools in Barnet took part in this year’s Walk to School Week and showed how beneficial walking to school can be for children, parents and the wider community.

But the walk to school doesn’t have to be for just one week a year. Walking to school all year round can save money, teach children independence, road safety and social skills, and is an easy way to build activity into a child’s day.

More children walking to school also means less traffic congestion and tension around the school gates, making it safer for everyone.

Councils and schools can help parents and children walk to school all year round by signing up for Living Streets’ Walk Once a Week (WoW) scheme, which has been running since 2005.

Each class records their daily journey on wallcharts and at the end of each month, every child who has walked at least once each week is rewarded with a collectable WoW badge.

These popular badges are designed by children themselves and are manufactured in the UK using recycled yoghurt pot material.

Once again, congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Walk to School Week — with your help we’ll achieve our goal of making the walk to school safer and easier for everyone.

Tony Armstrong

Chief executive of Living Streets