Football star applauds Hull pupils for national walking initiative win

A school in Hull has topped a national leaderboard celebrating children who are making strides to walk and wheel to school – and received a special message from a local football hero.

Chiltern Primary School is one of ten schools on the WOW Top Ten leaderboard and were crowned this term’s most active and engaged school in England.

To celebrate their achievement, pupils at Chiltern Primary received a heartfelt message from Hull City Midfielder, Matt Crooks – who goes by the nickname ‘Tree’, a moniker given to him by teammates because of his tall frame and hair. The football star congratulated the school on their victory, saying “getting yourselves to the top of the national leaderboard is something to be really proud of” and encouraged pupils to keep up their active travel journeys to school. 

WOW - the walk to school challenge from charity Living Streets sees pupils record how they get to school on an interactive WOW Travel Tracker, with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school being awarded a monthly badge.

The WOW Top Ten increases walking rates at schools and encourages pupils to get involved in active travel. With challenges scattered across the school year, WOW Top Ten supports pupils’ health and wellbeing while reducing congestion and pollution around the school gates.

This term, pupils at Chiltern Primary took part in the spring WOW Top Ten which asked them to walk to school as many times as possible during February. Pupils logged 4932 journeys on the WOW Travel Tracker in February, with more than 95 per cent recorded as active journeys.

Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:  

“Congratulations to pupils from Chiltern Primary School in Hull, who topped the spring WOW Top Ten leaderboard in England!

Walking and wheeling to school helps build healthy habits, keeping us fitter, healthier and happier. It also reduces congestion, air pollution and road danger outside the school gates.

“It’s fantastic that pupils at Chiltern Primary are benefitting from walking to school and I’m sure their dedication will inspire other children and their families to follow in their footsteps.”

Sally Harling, Year 6 teacher at Chiltern Primary School, said:

“Topping the national leaderboard is an incredible milestone for pupils at Chiltern Primary School. 

“Our students are passionate about walking to school, and we couldn't be prouder of their record-breaking February performance. Congratulations!”