Harrogate Walk to School Day is back
Nearly 40 schools are taking part in the event run by Zero Carbon Harrogate
Nearly 40 schools across the Harrogate district are taking part in today's Walk to School Day.
Over 10,000 children have taken part in previous Walk to School days, by ditching the car and opting for walking or cycling instead.
The event has proved to be a growing community success as primaries and secondaries across the district signed up to take their stand against the climate emergency.
George, age six, from Admiral Long C of E walks to school every morning with his older brother, Sam.
He said: "I walk to school with my my grandpa and granny. I get to see all the nature. We get to see butterflies."
Sam, age 10, added: "I like walking to school. We live across the road so we don't need to use the car. We're not using as much carbon dioxide and polluting the world. It keeps you fit and healthy too."
Instead of their usual drive to school, pupils are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or take public transport. Those families unable to eliminate car usage completely are also welcomed to take part by car-sharing or choosing the ‘park and stride’ option - parking further from the school gate than usual and continuing their journey on foot, if possible.
Teachers have said the students feel more refreshed and ready for the day when they have walked into school.
Kate Ward, teacher at Admiral Long C of E, said:
"Often a little bit of exercise boosts their capacity to learn and they get chance to have a chat with the grown up their walking with so it's a nice family time for the children before they get into school.
"They come in and feel invigorated because it does blow a gale up here so they're walking in all weathers but it just means they'd had that blast of fresh air and they're ready to start the day.
"The students are very aware of the little things they can do to protect the environment. How they can save electricity, how they can walk and use their bikes. Just days like this raise the profile of that sort of discussion and let's them see the point of it.
"The younger they are, the more accepting they are that this information is how it is. Like they know they should recycle the paper they use in the class and the messages just permeate from reception right through to Year Six."
List of schools taking part in today's Walk to School Day:
Secondaries
Ashville College Senior School
Harrogate Grammar School
Harrogate High School
Harrogate Ladies College
King James's School
Primaries
Admiral Long Church of England Primary School
Ashville College Pre & Prep School
Aspin Park Academy
Bilton Grange Primary School
Birstwith Church of England Primary School
Burton Leonard Church of England Primary School
Coppice Valley Primary
Follifoot Church of England Primary School
Highfield Pre & Prep School
Killinghall Church of England Primary School
Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School
Marton-cum-Grafton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Meadowside Academy
New Park Primary Academy
Oatlands Community Junior School
Oatlands Infant School
Pannal Primary School
Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School
Rossett Acre Primary School
Scotton Lingerfield Primary School
Sharow Church of England School
Skelton, Newby Hall Church of England Primary School
Spofforth Church of England VC Primary School
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
St Peter's Church of England Primary School
St Robert's Catholic Primary School
St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School
Tockwith Church of England Primary Academy
Western Primary School
Willow Tree Community Primary School
Woodfield Primary School