School children in Maidstone have been championing green travel during International Walk to School Month.

Pupils from St Francis’ Catholic Primary School have embraced the annual awareness drive which takes place each October and urges families to get active and enjoy the great outdoors by walking, cycling or scooting to school. Individuals who live too far away to make the whole journey under their own steam can still benefit and reduce their impact on the environment by taking the ‘park and stride’ option.

Head teacher Patricia Williams said: “Here at St Francis we’re really happy to be promoting the walk to school campaign. Children arrive at school with the smile on their face, the energy, that readiness for their beginning of their day. They are in a good place to look forward to learning for the day.”

Sara Williams, walk to school ambassador from Specsavers, visited the school to see the activity for Walk to School Month including an assembly to present the coveted Green Class of the Week Trophy.

“Green travel is really important to encourage children to learn road safety skills, to get people off the road more and to allow children to arrive at school feeling energised and ready to learn,” she said.

St Francis’ Catholic Primary School was recently recognised for its commitment to green travel at an awards ceremony staged on Wednesday, October 7. Walk to school coordinator Linda Martin collected a Platinum Pledge Award on behalf of the school during the annual KM Charity Team Forum. The accolade is awarded to schools that have made the promise to run KM Walk to School green travel schemes for three years.

The school was also awarded a certificate to mark the fourth birthday of its popular walking bus service which offers pupils a fun, safe and healthy way to get to school.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council led initiative supported by organisations including Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Bexley Council, Eurostar, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Schools can find out more about Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug and Green Footsteps at www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.