WOW Launch
supporting materials
Launching a successful WOW challenge!
On this page you will find everything you need to launch WOW during COVID-19 and beyond:
- Video guides and engagement content
- Running WOW at the time of COVID-19 FAQs
- Downloadable launch materials
- Walk to school shareables
If you can't find what you were looking for below, don't hesitate to get in touch at walktoschool@livingstreets.org.uk
LAUNCH VIDEO
Watch this fun and quick video to help explain to your teachers, school staff, and pupils how WOW works, why walking is important and how to run WOW safely during COVID-19.
WOW travel tracker video tutorials
england
By clicking the black button below you will access a selection of useful how-to video tutorials on the WOW Travel Tracker for English and Welsh schools.
WOW travel tracker video tutorials
SCOTLAND
By clicking the black button below you will access a selection of useful how-to video tutorials on the WOW Travel Tracker for Scottish schools.
WOW ENGAGEMENT VIDEO
Watch this video with your pupils as a fun and interactive way to discover the importance of walking and the impact it can have on our health, wellbeing, and the environment.
WHAT IS WOW VIDEO
Share this video with teachers and parents to help explain what wow is and why your school is taking part. Note, this video was filmed in a pre-covid world. For specific tips and guidance on running WOW during COVID-19, please watch our launch video at the top of the page or read our WOW FAQs below.
Using the WOW Activity Tracker
What is the best/safest way to use the WOW Activity Tracker?
Teachers and school staff themselves are the best people to decide how to use the WOW Activity Tracker during this time, as they know the schools' needs and protocols better than anyone else.
However, we have some useful recommendations to eliminate the risk of physical contact when recording journeys on the Activity Tracker. We recommend for one person (staff member or WOW monitor) to batch record the entire class' journeys each day. This eliminates the risk of all pupils having to touch the same whiteboard/screen and/or coming into close contact when doing so. Batch recording not only makes the recording process safer, but also quicker and more efficient.
The WOW Activity Tracker also enables pupils to log their activity at home should they be self-isolating.
DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
If you are teaching at school, you can use the tracker as usual for the pupils who are travelling to school.
If you are teaching online for pupils isolating at home, you can either:
- Log pupils’ activity as part of your teaching video call each day.
OR
- Invite parents to log their own children’s activity from home. To do so, you will need to share the three-word access code with parents/carers of your class and invite them to log their own child’s activity from home, just like pupils would do in class.
the journey to school
Can we still walk to school during these times?
The walk to school is the most accessible way to reduce congestion and pollution outside the school gates, while increasing the safety and improving physical and mental wellbeing of pupils. Now that we are taking steps out of the COVID 19 lockdown and looking to the future, walking to school and its countless benefits have become more important than ever. Walking to school is a safe travel option, as long as physical distancing measures are followed.
If pupils can't walk the whole way to school, how can they take part in WOW?
We encourage families who live far away from school to plan ahead their journeys and consider parking their car 10 minutes away from school, or hopping off the bus early, and walking the rest of the way. This option allows for more pupils to join in with a chance to earn a badge, but it also reduces traffic and pollution outside the school gates, making drop-off time safer and more enjoyable for all. Pupils who qualify for school transport will be advised on local arrangements for this by their school. They can participate in WOW by choosing 'Hop off' (England only), 'Other' or 'Park and Stride'.
Can we still Park and Stride to school during these times?
Yes, families can still take part in Park and Stride if they can't travel actively all the way to school. We recommend families stay alert and follow physical distancing guidance if parking their car in a crowded place - e.g. public car park, or busy road. When physical distancing is not possible, the current government advice is to wear a face covering. Guidance on face covering varies across the country; please check you local guidance for specific details.
How can our school go the extra mile to promote walking and cycling, while creating space for physical distancing?
There are many things your school can do to encourage the whole school community to travel actively. We have family resources for walking to school, toolkits on School Streets, and lots of useful guidance. Please take a look at this blog post for more.
park and stride letter for parents/carers
Template letters to help you set up a Park and Stride scheme
(Word document)
park and stride request letter - template
Template letter to request set up of a Park and Stride scheme in a local car park
(Word file)
WOW launch assembly presentation
(with voice over)
Run through this Power Point presentation with your pupils when launching WOW. It includes an informative and engaging video and a fun Q&A for pupils.
As a WOW schools, you get exclusive access to three full lesson plans for 20/21. Launching one per term, all lessons are suitable for a 60-minute class, are linked to the curriculum, and include pupils' worksheets as well as at home extensions.
AUTUMN TERM LESSON PLAN
The theme of this term was Health and Wellbeing.
spring TERM LESSON PLAN
Our summer term lesson plan is out! With this curriculum-linked 60-minute lesson plan we look at ‘FOOTPRINTS - humans and animals walking’. This resource is very special to us as it was created in house by our expert schools team – big shout out to our Dan and Craig! Children will learn and compare animal's walking habits, learn to identify tracks and more.
NEW!
Summer TERM LESSON PLAN
Our summer term lesson plan is out! With this curriculum-linked 60-minute lesson plan we look at ‘Walking to school through the generations’. This resource is very special to us as it was created in house by our expert schools team – big shout out to our Maya and Rachel! They have collated some short walking to school stories from across the generations, UK and the world. Pupils are encouraged to consider and compare the different experiences, tell their own story and more.
Autumn term 2020
KS1 / Foundation Phase / P1-3
Spring term 2021
KS1 / Foundation Phase / P1-3
Ks1/P1-3 download (no printer)
Foundation Phase - Welsh version
Summer term 2021
KS1 / Foundation Phase / P1-3
Autumn term 2020
KS2 / P4-7
Spring Term 2021
KS2 / P4-7
Ks2/P4-7 download (no printer)
Summer term 2021
KS2 / P4-7
4. Social media shareables
Download any of the social media shareables below and shout about your walking journeys with WOW. Don't forget to tag @LivingStreets and hashtag #WalkToSchool
