Harrogate Walk to School Day is back

Nearly 40 schools are taking part in the event run by Zero Carbon Harrogate

Author: Natalie HigginsPublished 4th Feb 2022

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.

Harrogate MP Andrew Jones, with Harrogate Grammar School Headmaster and students, together with councillors and members of the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition.

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."

Western Primary School students and teachers taking part in Walk to School Day

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

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