Sustrans shines a light on five Welsh schools going above and beyond with active travel

Sustrans, the active travel charity who’s purpose is to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle are marking the 10th anniversary of the Active Travel Act in Wales this week by celebrating some of the schools, teachers, pupils and parents that have enthusiastically taken part in their Active Journeys programme.

The programme is funded by the Welsh Government and is helping children to safely and confidently adopt active travel, and schools receiving support through the programme see a significant increase in the number of young people and families travelling to school actively.

Father and sons cycling to school in Llangollen

So, in celebration of the Act’s tenth birthday, Sustrans have chosen five schools, from all parts of Wales, for special recognition.

School: Ysgol Gynradd Llanfairpwll (NW Wales)

Special Recognition: Dedicated School Champion bringing active travel into the classroom: A doff of the cap to Mr Eilir Evans, an enthusiastic supporter of the Active Journeys Programme who developed a three-week work unit for Key Stage 2 pupils dedicated to active travel and road safety. By incorporating this into the curriculum, ensured that active travel, clean air, road safety and health and wellbeing themes have been embedded into pupils’ learning.

School: Ysgol Tir Morfa Community Special School (NE Wales)

Special Recognition: Including everyone and reducing air pollution: A multi-use track has been built at the one of the school’s sites, allowing for a fleet of adapted cycles, scooters and wheelchairs to be used to help pupils grow in confidence in a safe and secure environment. They also ditched the minibus at the start of the pandemic, with pupils and teachers choosing to travel actively instead on trips and outings.

School: Ysgol Glannau Gwaun (Mid & West Wales)

Special Recognition: Committed to including everyone and thinking outside the box: With support from Sustrans, Deputy Head Mrs Osborne purchased a large fleet of scooters and helmets for pupils at the school. Not everyone can afford to buy new scooters and bikes, so a fleet of equipment has meant that everyone can be included in the skills workshops run by Sustrans and can travel to school actively.

School: Tre Uchaf Primary School (South Central Wales)

Special Recognition: Champion going the extra ‘active’ mile: Year 6 teacher, Morgan Civil has built bike and scooter storage and a workshop on-site for pupils to develop their bike mechanic skills. Mr Civil also runs a bike club and leads the walking bus.

School: Fochriw Primary School (SE Wales)

Special Recognition: Whole school community approach to active travel: The pupils’ Active Journeys crew have been busy promoting active travel to the rest of the school as well as the wider school community with assemblies and posters. Pupils have also taken part in Bike to School Week, a Dr Bike maintenance session, a scooter skills workshop, and a safer routes lesson.

Photo: G. Thomas/Sustrans.