Schools in Kent and Medway have been given the stamp of approval for their dedication to green travel.

Representatives from the schools were presented with Green Travel Mark Awards to celebrate their commitment to eco-friendly initiatives that combat childhood obesity.

The schools are signed up to KM Walk to School schemes, which include Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug, and encourage families to ditch the car and use active means to get to school instead.

Certificate presentations were made at the Maiden’s Tower at Leeds Castle. The recipients were applauded by Walk to School mascot Buster Bug as well as sponsors Kent County Council, Medway Council, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment agency, Mini Babybel, Golding Homes, Orbit South and Southern Water .

Green Travel Mark Awards are given to schools that set the standard for green travel, delivering schemes school-wide and successfully promoting them to children and parents.

Awards can be earned at bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels with additional accolades for schools that also have a walking bus.

Simon Dolby from KM Walk to School said: “These schools have fantastic schemes in place and are prioritising their pupils’ health and wellbeing. WOW and Active Bug offer benefits not only to pupils but also to schools, thanks to our award-winning resources which include self-evaluation evidence for Ofsted.”

Mr Dolby urged schools to register for KM Walk to School schemes without delay. He said: “There’s still time for schools to have green travel in place for the next academic year but they must contact us as soon as possible.”

Other Walk to School sponsors include Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Specsavers, Countrystyle Recycling, Eurostar, Chaucer Foundation, Jelf Insurance Brokers, IMP and Whitefriars shopping area.

The Green Travel Mark Awards

Platinum+

High Halden CEP School, Ashford; Blean Primary School, Canterbury; St Francis Catholic Primary School, Maidstone; Walderslade Primary School, Medway.

Platinum

Christ Church CEP Academy, Folkestone; John Wesley Primary School, Ashford; Beaver Green CP School, Ashford; Parkside Community Primary School, Canterbury; Langafel CE Primary School, Dartford; Gateway Primary Academy, Dartford; Stone St Mary’s CEP School, Dartford; Cecil Road Primary School, Gravesham; Sheers Green Infant School, Gravesham; Ulcombe CE Primary School, Maidstone; Senacre Wood Primary School, Maidstone; Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, Maidstone; Wayfield Primary School, Medway; Bligh Federation Infant School, Medway; Bapchild and Tonge CE (Aided) Primary, Sittingbourne; St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Sittingbourne; Minster-In-Sheppey CP School, Sheppey; Queenborough School and Nursery, Sheppey; Chilton Primary School, Thanet; Dame Janet Primary Academy (Jr), Thanet; St Crispin’s CP Infant School, Thanet; St Mildred’s Primary Infant School, Thanet.

Gold+

Joydens Wood Junior School, Dartford; Minster CE Primary School, Thanet.

Gold

Aldington Primary School, Ashford; Holy Trinity CEP School, Dartford; Lawn Primary School, Dartford; Riverview Infant School, Gravesham; St Botolph’s CE Primary School, Gravesham; Holy Family Primary School, Maidstone; St George’s CE Primary School, Sevenoaks; Bligh Federation Junior School, Medway; Cuxton Junior School, Medway; Featherby Infant and Nursery School, Medway; Westlands Primary School, Sittingbourne; St Mary of Charity Primary School, Faversham; Cliftonville Primary School, Thanet.

Silver

John Wallis Academy, Ashford; St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Ashford; Regis Manor Primary School, Sittingbourne.

To find out more about WOW, Active Bug or Green Travel Mark, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call 0844 264 0292.