Pupils Put Their Best Foot Forward
Supported by Caerphilly Council’s Road Safety Team, schools across Caerphilly have been involved in Walk to School Week 2018.
Over 7,000 pupils at 27 schools have enjoyed a healthy stroll to school, with many taking part in one of 20 regular walking buses that run weekly throughout the summer months. Walking buses pass through local communities and allow pupils to join at regular ‘bus stops’ along the journey, as they safely make their way to school in the company of fellow pupils and school staff.
Pupils at Maesycwmmer Primary School enjoy their walking bus each Friday, and even the rain didn’t put them off taking part in Walk to School Week. Each week the walking bus makes its way through the village as the pupils discuss a topic of the week, sing songs and wave to members of the community as they go. The walking bus allows pupils of all ages to get to know each other, providing pupils with the chance to make friends with pupils in other classes they wouldn’t usually see during a school day. The walking bus also allows teachers the chance to get to know pupils better, as they discuss their hobbies and what they enjoy doing outside of school hours.
The walking bus is an important part of the healthy school day at Maesycwmmer. Pupils also take part in regular sport activities and after school clubs, as well as taking part in the Daily Mile, where each pupil runs or walks 13 laps of the yard. Older pupils also run a fruit tuck shop which has recently started serving fresh fruit smoothies.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Road Safety Team offer support to all schools that want to develop school travel plans, establish walking buses or deliver Kerbcraft road safety sessions, as well as helping with projects including Junior Road Safety Officer groups.
Cllr. Sean Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Infrastructure said: “I would like to congratulate all the pupils that have walked to school this week, making the effort to improve their wellbeing and protect the environment. I’m pleased that Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Road Safety team continue to develop projects that create safer environments for pupils to walk and cycle to school, as well as supporting schools to deliver schemes such as walking buses and Kerbcraft sessions.”
You can see Maesycwmmer Walking Bus in action in the video above.