Twelve schools in Bexley are putting their best feet forward for their New Year’s resolutions.

The dandy dozen are trumpeting a popular green travel scheme to help pupils become healthier and safer pedestrians and learn about their impact on the environment.

They are signed up to projects including Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug, part of the award winning KM Walk to School campaign. Organised by the KM Group’s charity team the campaign motivates families to battle traffic congestion and pollution by swapping car journeys for walking or cycling to school.

Melanie Neale, head teacher at Gravel Hill Primary School, Bexley, said: “We embrace the scheme for its vast health benefits and road safety awareness, but also for the sense of community. Children can chat with elders and chat with their friends, arriving at school feeling really healthy and ready for learning.”

Currently adopted by hundreds of schools across Kent and Medway the campaign is now making great strides in Bexley. Other participating schools in the area include East Wickham Primary Academy, St Fidelis Catholic Primary, Days Lane Primary, Jubilee Primary, Belmont Primary, West Lodge, St Stephen’s Catholic Primary, Longlands Primary, Willow Bank, Northumberland Heath and Peareswood Primary.

Cllr Val Clark, chair of transport users sub-committee in Bexley, said: “Walking to school is so important for children because it teaches them how to use the roads safely. They learn from their parents and interaction with the community and better the environment in the process.”

KM Walk to School, which has won five Green Apple environment awards in the last ten years, uses stickers, charts, competitions and other incentives to keep pupils excited about green travel throughout the academic year.

Last year more than 250,000 school run car journeys were removed from the road thanks to schools and families taking part in the scheme.

Eric Hodges of Orbit South housing association, a key supporter of the campaign, said it was good to see how walking to school had taken off.

“Not only are there the benefits of getting cars off the street and safer children, it’s just shown us how mind and soul the walk to school programme has been a phenomenal success,” he said.

Organisations backing KM Walk to School include Bexley Council, Kent County Council, Medway Council, Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Eurostar, Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Schools can still register this term to take part in WOW, Active Bug or Green Footsteps. Visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or contact Louise Rogerson at lrogerson@thekmgroup.co.uk.