Simon Lightwood MP joins active pupils in Wakefield

Simon Lightwood MP met children from his constituency in Wakefield and Rothwell today (Friday 28 February) as they shared the benefits of walking and wheeling to school. 

St Austin’s Catholic Primary School in Wakefield takes part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets, which 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. 

Before starting WOW in January 2024, 57 per cent of pupils at St Austin's were driven all the way to school. That's now reduced to 18 per cent – much lower than the national average of 51 per cent. The number of journeys walked or wheeled all the way to the school gates has increased from 35 per cent to 46 per cent.  

In England, thousands of children are enjoying the benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling to school with WOW. Living Streets works with over 2,000 UK schools to deliver its walk to school programme. The project highlights the positive impact active travel investment has on local communities. 

Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, said:

“It was a privilege to join pupils at St Austin’s as the local Member of Parliament. It’s crucial that children can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that come with walking or wheeling to school.  

“Programmes like WOW make such a positive difference to pupils’ wellbeing and the benefits travel far – from increased confidence to finding it easier to concentrate in the classroom. 

“Well done to pupils and teachers at St Austin’s Catholic Primary School for making such an impressive effort to travel to school in healthier, more sustainable ways.”  

Kate Stokes, Project Coordinator for Living Streets and Wakefield resident, said:  

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Simon Lightwood MP to St Austin’s Catholic Primary School and for pupils to tell him how much they enjoy taking part in WOW. 

“One in four cars on the road each morning is on the school run, so walking or wheeling all or some of the way to school is a great way to make our streets safer, reduce congestion and clean up our air.”  

John Molyneux, Headteacher at St Austin’s Catholic Primary School, said: 

“I’d like to extend my thanks to Simon Lightwood for visiting our school today. The pupils enjoyed speaking with him and sharing their passion for walking and wheeling to school. 

“We’re delighted to see how much our pupils are benefitting from walking to school because it helps children get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day needed to stay fit, healthy and happy.”