Walk to School Days
Be a ZERO HERO and simply swap the car for your feet!
Walk to School Days take place once every half-term, although many schools promote good transport habits on a daily and weekly basis, to improve air quality, reduce congestion and improve pupil health and wellbeing. Around 60 schools now regularly take part, with more schools getting involved every term.
Pupils are delighted to be rewarded with a 'high five' from Spike, the Road Safety Hedgehog, or Harry Gator, Harrogate Town AFC's mascot when they arrive at the school gate!
To celebrate pupil efforts in the past we have held a photo competition, kindly sponsored by Flotilla, a local sustainability company. The winner and runners up photos can be found here.
Walk to School event days for this academic year are:
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Friday 4th October 2024
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Friday 22nd November 2024
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Friday 7th February 2025
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Friday 28th March 2025
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Friday 23rd May 2025
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Friday 27th June 2025
These are now split into 5 local area events:
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Boroughbridge Walk to School Day
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Harrogate Walk to School Day - supported by Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation
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Knaresborough Walk to School Day
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Nidderdale Walk to School Day - supported by Nidderdale Climate & Environment Group
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Ripon Walk to School Day - supported by Ripon Together
Encourage your school to sign up and they'll receive a FREE event pack containing everything needed for a fun and healthy Walk to School Day!
Did you know that in North Yorkshire more carbon emissions are created by transport than anything else, and that more than three quarters of this comes from cars and vans?
Petrol and diesel cars produce gases that warm our atmosphere, which causes unpredictable and extreme weather conditions.
This leads to many problems, not only for polar bears in the Arctic, but also right here on our doorstep with heavy rain and floods. We need to find a way to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use, ideally down to zero.
On Walk to School Days, local primary schools are asked to find a more climate friendly way to get to school. This could be a form of active travel, such as walking, scooting or cycling. Those that live far away could use public transport/car for part of the journey, then ‘park and stride’ the last mile. We do what we can, when we can and every mile counts!
The physical and mental health benefits of exercise are well known, with studies also showing that walking to school improves concentration and helps pupils arrive ready to learn. Making the journey on foot, by bike or using public transport means fewer vehicles on the road, benefitting the wider community with less traffic and cleaner air.
"The children were enthusiastic about the event and viewed it as their way of helping tackle climate change and pollution."
Sophie Kirkwood, Eco Lead at Rossett Acre Primary School
A new award scheme
All schools who take part will be eligible to receive a Walk to School certificate award, depending on how many events they took part in over the academic year. It's all about building good transport habits and spreading the word!
1-2 events = Bronze Award
3-4 events = Silver Award
5-6 events = Gold Award
Help your school go for Gold status - all they have to do is simply take part!
For more information please contact schools.zch@gmail.com
In the Spotlight
Walk to School Event Manager Needed (Volunteer Role)
We're looking for an organised person to lead our super successful Walk to School and Car Free Fridays campaigns! The right person will be coordinating fun event days encouraging pupils to choose low carbon transport as a way to travel, This is a key volunteer position and requires a few hours a month, but we'll be here to support you all the way. Find the full job description and details about how to apply below.