More than 16,000 pupils across 47 Harrogate district schools have lowered their carbon footprint so far this academic year as part of Harrogate's Walk to School Days.
'Walk to School Day' is organised by Zero Carbon Harrogate and runs every half term.
Children and parents are encouraged to leave the car behind and walk, cycle or take public transport to get to school.
And Zero Carbon Harrogate have been keeping tabs on which schools have the highest number of participants.
Sunita Soundur, Zero Carbon Harrogate’s Climate Action Coordinator, said:
“Walk to School and Car Free Fridays are such a great way to start the day!
“It's a simple concept, but every person's effort to make these seemingly small swaps to reduce their carbon emissions matters – and when we are visible about what we're doing, that's where change really starts to happen... as we've shown with these campaigns, climate action doesn't have to be a chore but can be really fun, engaging and absolutely worth celebrating!”
The primary school campaign, Walk to School Day, has enjoyed another successful year covering the Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Nidderdale and Ripon areas.
It has been widely supported by Zero Carbon Harrogate and Ripon Together volunteers, local sustainability company Flotilla, local councillors and Mayors.
The pupils have also enjoyed walking to school on event days with Harrogate Town AFC’s Harry Gator mascot and North Yorkshire Council’s Spike the Road Safety Hedgehog.
A pupil from Birstwith CE Primary School said:
“It is great to walk and not miss out on lovely weather by being trapped in the car. It is really fun walking my puppy Maggie to school with me.
“I also enjoy biking home after school which is always good fun!”
A Boroughbridge Primary School pupil added:
“We walk to school every day but it's nice when others do it too as the walk is more fun. You don't realise how many cars you actually see on the way to school.”
Zero Carbon have also grown their Car Free Fridays campaign, with almost all the Harrogate secondary schools and Harrogate College now taking part.
The Harrogate Bus Company continue to support the campaign by providing 2 for 1 tickets on Fridays, to encourage local commuters and the general public to join in this positive climate action.
St. Aidan’s C of E School are the most recent secondary school to join Car Free Fridays, helping the environment by walking, cycling or using the school bus.
St Aidan’s Marketing and Communication Manager, Kate Caine, said:
“As a school, we were delighted to take part in Car Free Friday as part of our Eco Week activities.
“Sustainability is vital here and we look forward to making it a regular event each year.
“Thanks to Zero Carbon for the support in hosting it!”
At the end of each academic year, schools/colleges are awarded with certificates for participation.
To achieve Gold they need to have taken part in at least 5 of the 6 Walk to School or Car Free Friday events over the academic year – one takes place every half term.
This year 27 schools achieved Gold (an increase from 23 last year), 2 reached Silver and 14 gained Bronze.
Rossett Acre Headteacher, Corrine Penhale, said:
“We are delighted at Rossett Acre to be awarded the Gold Award for our commitment to the Walk to School Campaign; we have taken part in all six events across the year.
“It is so important to encourage our families to walk to school for many reasons; it lessens the impact on our planet and helps to tackle climate change and lower our carbon footprint; less traffic makes our roads safer for our pupils, and the whole community, as they go about their daily life.
“Additionally, the physical and mental health benefits of exercising are well documented; exercise improves concentration, supports weight management, helps reduce stress and anxiety and has a positive impact on our mood.”
Corrine added:
“Walking, cycling or scootering to school also provides our pupils and families with a connection to the world; giving the opportunity to notice their environment and how it changes, as well as those awe and wonder moments such as watching the wildlife, seeing flowers bloom and smelling their scent or simply having the chance to just ‘be’. What’s not to love?
“We are so proud of all our pupils and families who took part in the Walk to School events. A huge well done to them all.”
Walk to School and Car Free Fridays Event Coordinator, Fiona Jones, said:
“Since the campaigns began in June 2021, Walk to School Days and Car Free Fridays have gone from strength to strength. It has been a wonderful way to unite our local school communities through such a positive climate action, giving pupils the power to reduce their own carbon footprint.
“We are looking for more Event Coordinators to build our campaign further, so please get in touch if you would like to make a positive difference in your local community, at hello@zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk ”
Car Free Friday Award Winners
|
Rossett School |
Bronze |
|
St Aidan’s Church of England High School |
Bronze |
|
Harrogate College |
Silver |
|
Ashville College (Senior) |
Gold |
|
Harrogate Grammar School |
Gold |
|
Harrogate High School |
Gold |
Walk to School Day Award Winners
|
Ashville College (Pre, Prep) |
Bronze |
|
Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School |
Bronze |
|
Follifoot Church of England Primary School |
Bronze |
|
Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School |
Bronze |
|
Knaresborough, St John's C of E Primary School |
Bronze |
|
New Park Primary Academy |
Bronze |
|
Outwood Primary Academy Greystone |
Bronze |
|
Ripon Cathedral Church of England Primary School |
Bronze |
|
Saltergate Infant & Junior School |
Bronze |
|
Starbeck Primary Academy |
Bronze |
|
Western Primary School |
Bronze |
|
Willow Tree Community Primary School |
Bronze |
|
The Federation of Holy Trinity C of E Schools and Nursery |
Silver |
|
Admiral Long Church of England Primary School |
Gold |
|
Aspin Park Academy |
Gold |
|
Bilton Grange Primary School |
Gold |
|
Birstwith Church of England Primary School |
Gold |
|
Boroughbridge Primary School |
Gold |
|
Coppice Valley Primary |
Gold |
|
Grove Road Community Primary School |
Gold |
|
Highfield Pre & Prep School |
Gold |
|
Hookstone Chase Primary School |
Gold |
|
Killinghall Church of England Primary School |
Gold |
|
Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School |
Gold |
|
Oatlands Community Junior School |
Gold |
|
Oatlands Infant School |
Gold |
|
Pannal Primary School |
Gold |
|
Ripley Endowed (Church of England) School |
Gold |
|
Rossett Acre Primary School |
Gold |
|
Scotton Lingerfield Primary School |
Gold |
|
Sharow Church of England School |
Gold |
|
Spofforth Church of England VC Primary School |
Gold |
|
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School |
Gold |
|
St Mary's Catholic Primary School |
Gold |
|
St Robert's Catholic Primary School |
Gold |
|
St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School |
Gold |
|
Tockwith Church of England Primary Academy |
Gold |
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