More pupils will walk to school in Wales, thanks to government funding
Thousands of children across Wales will enjoy the benefits of walking to school, thanks to support from the Welsh Government.
The funding will enable Living Streets Cymru, part of the UK charity for everyday walking, to engage 200 primary schools, 42 secondary schools and 25 nurseries in its walk to school programmes in Wales until April 2026.
WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets – sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
Living Streets previously received funding to deliver WOW from April 2023 to March 2025. Over two years, Living Streets helped more than 55,000 pupils walk or wheel more, in 178 primary schools and 42 secondary schools across Wales. The programme saw a 20 per cent increase in walking and wheeling all the way to school, and a 57 per cent increase in active journeys to school, including cycling, scooting and Park and Stride.
In secondary schools, 51 per cent of pupils said they had walked more, with a 22 per cent increase in the number of pupils who said they usually walk or wheel to school, and a 22 per cent increase for active travel.[1]
Ysgol Corn Hir in Anglesey has been taking part in WOW since January 2024. In just six months, they cut driving rates in half and increased the number of active journeys by 41 per cent.[2]
Headteacher Rhys Roberts said: “The children are more motivated to walk, cycle or scoot to school and they really enjoy taking part. They love finding out if they have won a badge at the end of the month.”
Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said:
“WOW – the walk to school programme is a fantastic resource for schools, helping to improve pupils’ health and wellbeing.
“I’m really pleased that more schools across Wales will be taking part in WOW. Investment in such schemes will help us build safer and stronger communities for our children.”
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:
“Walking to school is a wonderful way to get active before the school day, and I’m delighted that Living Streets Cymru will be able to help even more young people in Wales stay healthy and happy.
“Swapping the car for a walk or wheel to school also offers families quality time together, while helping to reduce congestion and air pollution outside the school gates.”
[1] Across project primary schools, Living Streets has seen a 20% increase (6.63 percentage points) in walking/wheeling (using mobility aids, including wheelchairs or wheeled walkers) all the way to school compared to baseline. In the same period, there has been a 57% increase (25.10 percentage points) in active journeys to school (including walking/wheeling, cycling, scoot/skate and Park and Stride).
In addition, 51% of pupils at secondary schools said that they had walked more because of the Next Steps Walking Challenge, with a 22% increase (7.7 percentage points) in the number of pupils who said they usually walk/wheel to school and a 22% increase (9.5 percentage points) for active travel.
[2] At baseline in January 2024, the rates were: 23% active, 18% walk/wheel, 75% driving, 1% Park and Stride. In June 2024, the rates were: 64% active, 38% walk/wheel, 35% driving, 18% Park and Stride.
About the author
Rowan Dent
PR and Media Coordinator, Living Streets / [email protected]