WOW - the walk to school challenge
WOW is here for 2022/23
Resources are available on our shop.
WOW is a pupil-led initiative where children self-report how they get to school every day using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker. If they travel sustainably (walk, cycle or scoot) once a week for a month, they get rewarded with a badge. It's that easy!
It's simple to run and children love taking part. Each year, the collectable WOW badges are designed by pupils in our annual badge design competition. On average, WOW schools see a 30% reduction in car journeys taken to the school gate and a 23% increase in walking rates.
To find out more get in touch
WHAT IS WOW - the walk to school challenge?
Buy WOW
Join the over 1500 UK schools already on board!
You can use your PE & Sport Premium to fund WOW.
All about our WOW badges
Find out all you need to know about the WOW badges, where they come from and how to recycle them.
Our 2022/23 theme is: WALK THROUGH TIME
This theme takes us back in time as we explore millions of years of history on earth. Through the academic year, pupils will walk through time and collect a new badge each month while learning about key historic moments. From prehistoric creatures, to ancient societies, to important moments and great journeys that changed the world.
Join us on this exciting walk through time!
three simple steps to WOW
The WOW Travel Tracker
Our award-winning Travel Tracker plays a central role to WOW. The software allows pupils to log how they get to school everyday. It keeps score on how the pupils are doing, it automatically calculates which pupils have earned a badge at the end of each month, but it also does much more.
Ideas for funding WOW
RUN WOW FOR FREE
Depending on your area and our funding availability, your school may be eligible to run WOW for free.
our wow badge design competition 2022 winners
Our WOW challenge rewards children who travel actively to school with collectable badges. The badges are unique and designed by the pupils themselves.
The theme of next year will be:
WALK THROUGH TIME
Why WOW?
Searching for more reasons to take on the challenge? Look no further!
Reduces congestion
1 in 4 cars on the road each morning is on the school run.
Increases walking rates
Children at participating schools increase by 23% in the first five weeks. WOW Travel Tracker helps you keep track of your schools modes of travel.
Ofsted
Helps you achieve your outstanding schools rating.
Accreditation
Participating in WOW helps schools achieve Modeshift STARS and Healthy Schools status.
little classroom time
Less than 10 minutes of a teacher’s day! The most important part of WOW happens before the school day even starts.
over half a MILLION
Pupils encouraged to walk to school last year in OVER 1,600 schools.
Great cost
WOW is £2 per pupil; just a fraction of your PE and Sport Premium per child.
Instils life long healthy habits
Promotes healthy mental wellbeing by improving behaviour and concentration levels in class.
Improves road safety at the school gates
Thanks to the drop in car usage around the school.
The power of WOW - read about some of the ways WOW has made a difference to schools
Why Oxfordshire Council runs WOW
How running our walk to school challenge has boosted active travel across one UK county.
12.02.2018
Sunnyside Primary has the WOW factor
Alloa pupils impress judges in a creative competition, as all Clackmannanshire schools start WOW.
31.10.2017
Abbotswood Primary, South Glos
How one school 's commitment to walking to school with us culminated in a huge rise in walking rates.
17.07.2017
Is YOUR SCHOOL already taking part?
If your school has already signed up to WOW, we have put together a page containing everything and anything you might need to launch WOW.
Click the button below to access your engagement content and downloadable launch resources, tutorials and much more.
Access your WOW launch materials
WOW Travel Tracker
With the interactive WOW Travel Tracker you can gain insights into travel habits and find out which pupils have walked enough to earn a badge each month.
Recommend WOW to your local school!
Use our simple online form and encourage a local school to get WOW.
Teachers: already taking part?
Download your supporting engagement content and classroom resources.
