NEW WOW SCHOOL                        

Dear parent/carer,

Your child’s school has chosen to be part of an exciting behaviour-change initiative to encourage more children and their families to walk to school. WOW – the walk to school challenge is delivered by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, to help as many children as possible experience the benefits of walking to school.

The pupil-led challenge enables children to self-report how they get to school every day. If they travel actively (walk/wheel, cycle, scoot or Park and Stride) at least once a week for a month, they get rewarded with a badge. It’s that simple! 

What are the benefits of walking to school?

• Children feel happier and healthier
• They arrive to school refreshed and ready to learn
• Helps reduce congestion and pollution at the school gates  What if we can’t walk to school? 

Park and Stride to help your child earn their WOW badges. You can park or hop off public transport at least ten minutes away from the school and walk the remaining journey. 

What is a WOW badge?

There are 11 badges to be earned from September 2023 – July 2024. Each badge has been designed by a pupil from across the UK as part of our annual WOW Badge Design Competition. A new badge can be earned every month if you walk/wheel, cycle, scoot or Park and Stride at least once a week.

Pupils will be taking part in The British Nature Walk, earning badges ranging from the Urban Fox to Rochdale Canal, while getting closer to the nature found across Britain. 

The badges are made in Cornwall from recycled plastic material that was otherwise destined for landfill, including fridge trays, plastic plates and yoghurt pot off-cuts. For more information, visit: livingstreets.org.uk/recycling

In the UK, last year, around 2,000 schools and over half a million pupils enjoyed the benefits of walking to school with WOW. Will you join us? 

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact

Mrs Oledrzynski in school, or find more information and useful videos at:

livingstreets.org.uk/wowlaunch