Papdale Primary leads the way for national walk to school campaign

A national walk to school campaign was launched at Kirkwall’s Papdale Primary School today, Wednesday.

Pupils from the school were joined by Strider, the Living Streets mascot, Orkney Islands Council Chair of the Education , Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, and OIC Road Safety Officer, Yvonne Scott, at the launch of the programme with an outdoor assembly and photoshoot in the school playground.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, has brought WOW, the walk to school challenge to Scotland schools since 2007. WOW is a nationwide project proven to increase walking rates by 23% and reduce the number of cars at school gates by 30% on average.

This year sees WOW brought to over 100 schools across the country who will join Papdale in leading active travel in Scotland.

Wendy Bowen, Head Teacher at Papdale Primary School, said: “We’ve been encouraging pupils at Papdale Primary School to get active for many years and have seen some great results. Taking part in WOW has been a huge part of this and helps us keep our children healthy and happy. We’re really excited to be starting a new year of WOW and the pupils can’t wait to see what’s in store - and start collecting their new badges."

Yvonne Scott, Road Safety Officer, Orkney Islands Council, said: “I am delighted that Papdale Primary School has been selected to be a feature school and excited to welcome Strider to Papdale to launch the WOW challenge. Papdale pupils participated previously in 2019 and were extremely successful in increasing the active travel levels of pupils with sustainable choices of walking, cycling, scooting or parking and striding becoming very popular modal choices for the pupil’s commute to/from school.”

Councillor Gwenda Shearer said: “It’s fantastic that Papdale Primary School is leading the way on this latest campaign to encourage our children to walk to school – something we should all be motivating in our young folk when at all possible to instill good habits for the rest of their lives. We have all very much enjoyed meeting Strider, the Living Streets mascot – someone I am sure the bairns won’t forget in a hurry.”

Lee Craigie, Active Nation Commissioner, Scotland said: “We are all driven to protect the people we love. We are also hard wired to save ourselves time and effort. But driving our kids to schools is one of the most dangerous false economies we invent. By removing the simple daily pleasure of walking, cycling or wheeling to school, we miss the opportunity to instil in our kids patterns of everyday active behaviour that will improve and prolong their lives. Who doesn't want that for the people they love?"