Schools from North and West Wales have been recognised for their efforts in encouraging and supporting more active journeys to school. Seven schools were awarded different levels of the Active School Travel Awards by Sustrans, reflecting their commitment to healthier travel habits.
Ysgol yr Hafod pupils and staff celebrate their Gold Active Travel School Award. Credit: The Wrexham Leader.
Schools from North and West Wales have been leading the way with their commitment to promoting more active ways of travelling to school.
The schools from Ceredigion, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Wrexham are all signed up to the Welsh Government-funded Active Journeys programme.
As part of the Active Journeys programme, schools are entered into the Active School Travel Awards (ATSAs) and are recognised for supporting their pupils and staff to make healthier and more sustainable travel choices.
A commitment to a healthier way of travelling
The list of schools recognised through the ATSAs include:
- Ysgol Glancegin, Bangor (Bronze)
- Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, Fishguard (Silver)
- Ysgol Emmanuel, Rhyl (Silver)
- Ysgol yr Hafod, Wrexham (Silver)
- Ysgol Bryn Deva, Connah’s Quay (Gold)
- Ysgol Llywelyn, Rhyl (Gold)
- Ysgol Plascrug, Aberystwyth (Gold)
Students from Ysgol Llywelyn in Rhyl enjoy a show from Fusion Extreme as a prize for their efforts. Credit: Sustrans.
Staff, pupils, teachers, parents and guardians all contribute to increasing active travel at schools, so these awards reflect the efforts of the whole school community.
The Active Travel School Award aims to guide schools through the key steps for increasing and sustaining the number of pupils travelling to school actively.
Active Travel Schools recognise the benefits of travelling actively for their pupils, their families, and the wider school community.
Some of the benefits to increased levels of active travel include:
- Reduced congestion
- Improved air quality
- More independent and resilient children
- Safer streets
- Increased levels of physical activity
- Increased concentration levels in the classroom
Schools setting the example for sustainable travel
The achievements of each of these schools cannot be overstated, both in terms of leading to healthier behaviours for their pupils and the positive impact their work has had for the local community.
“It’s incredible to see these schools putting in the hard work to make it easier for their pupils and staff to walk, wheel or cycle more,” said Siani Colley-Nester, Project Manager of the Active Journeys programme.
“Some of the things that these schools are doing – sometimes off their own back – really shows how important it is to them to develop our children and young people into healthy, confident and resilient individuals.”
The work undertaken by some schools is also leading to collaborative networking between schools in their areas, sharing what's worked well with schools that are curious to learn more.
