BackEvaluation shows that WoW scheme works!
WoW, a national scheme to get more primary school pupils walking regularly, has been revealed as a spectacular success by an independent evaluation.
Getting more children physically active is a vital task, ever more pressing as forecasts predict that a quarter of UK children will be clinically obese by 2050. WoW (Walk Once a Week), a scheme that rewards children who walk at least once a week with collectable badges, has been proved to significantly increase walking rates in schools taking part – meaning the scheme is now something that schools can confidently take part in to boost activity levels. 19% of pupils in WoW schools said they had started walking because of WoW, and schools involved were shown to have a significantly higher incidence of walking than other schools – in both boys and girls.
The WoW scheme is run by national charity Living Streets, and currently runs in 1,895 schools in England, with a further 20 schools in Scotland and Wales now participating. The scheme is championed by local councils, and the badges children receive for walking have become highly prized – designed by pupils themselves in an annual national competition, one of the biggest art projects in Britain. Local Authorities and schools sign up for the scheme and pay for the badges and other resources so that children can take part. Since the scheme started in 2005 in some schools in London, the scheme has grown steadily with more schools and children taking part and feeling the benefits. The independent evaluation was funded with help from the Department of Health and Transport for London.
Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron said:
"Doing the school run on foot is a really easy way to get your family moving.
"Children are advised to be active for 60 minutes a day and adults for 30 minutes a day five times a week - a walk to school can go towards that target.
"Living Streets' 'Walk Once a Week' scheme is doing a fantastic job of getting more kids to walk to school. It's part of the Government's Change4Life campaign, which helps families eat well, move more and live longer."
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“Increasing activity levels and reducing the risk of obesity is one of the major priorities for anyone involved in children’s health or education today. But it’s often hard to know what actually works, and what to prioritise from tight budgets. That’s why we commissioned an independent review of the scheme. We are delighted that we now have firm evidence backing up what we have thought all along – the WoW scheme really does work in getting children more active. It is such a simple idea and so easy to implement – we hope that schools and local authorities up and down the country will get involved, and get more children up and down the country walking.
“Walking to school is one of the best ways to get everyday activity into families’ lives- good for health, and making a positive difference in reducing congestion, pollution and carbon. It’s also a great way to spend real quality time with your children. Every school can take part in WoW, and on the basis of this research, we want even more children and families to take part this year. Details of how to get involved can be found on our website.”
Ben Plowden, Director of Integrated Programmes at Transport for London, said:
“Transport for London supports the Walk Once a Week Campaign because it plays an important role in easing school-run traffic congestion, helping the environment and getting children to exercise more. WoW also allows parents and their children to spend valuable social time together and doesn’t cost families a penny.”
For more information contact Anna Powell, Press Officer at anna.powell@livingstreets.org.uk, tel: 020 7377 4914. For any out of hours press enquiries, please call 07545 209865.
Notes to editors
The evaluation of the WoW scheme was carried out by Wavehill Consulting, 2009
WoW is part of Living Streets’ Walk to School campaign which is supported by the Department for Transport, Transport for London, ACTravelwise and Modeshift, and delivered in partnership with local organisers throughout England.
WoW stands for 'Walk once a week'. It is a simple scheem for use in primary schools: participating children walk to and/or from school at least once a week and if they meet their target the child is rewarded with a collectable metal badge. There are 11 badges to collect - one for each month of the academic year, and the badges are designed by children themselves,
You can view the WoW resources, including the badges, wallcharts, postcards, trophies, banners, t-shirts etc, on our website: www.walktoschool.org.uk. There is an order form to download to purchase resources. WoW resources are available to order at certain periods throughout the year; summer term resources will be available to order in January. For further information on getting involved, visit the website. Living Streets also offer walk to school week and walk to school month resources to support promotion of walking to school. These can also be found on our website.
Living Streets, celebrating its 80th birthday this year, is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.
Published on: 11/12/2009
