A school in Bexley has won an award for being the county’s most engaged school when it comes to both reading and walking.

The pupils of Fairford Academy have taken part in the Walk to School and Buster’s Book Club schemes once a week and, for their efforts, were visited by adventurer and author Laura Bingham.

Laura spoke to the school during assembly about her adventures, which include sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, crossing an entire continent without any money and leading a world-first expedition to locate the source of the Essequibo River in Guyana.

The adventurer also spoke to the children about her books, read aloud Mountains of Dreams, which is all about her adventures cycling over the Andes, and answered any questions.

Mrs Whittington, Fairford Academy Head Teacher said: “Buster’s Book Club has really incentivized our children to read more and more, and you can’t beat reading! Walk to School is healthy, promotes fitness and really starts the children’s day when they get to school.”

The schemes are offered by the KM Charity Team, which works to support children and schools across Kent.

KM Charity Team CEO Mike Ward said: “The Walk to school and Buster’s Book Club schemes are probably more important now than they ever have been; reducing emissions in any way we can is the only way we are going to save our planet and encouraging children to engage and read more is crucial if they are ever going to catch up on all that they have missed.

“Prizes like this are so important for children to know what they can achieve if they set their minds to it! I would encourage every school in Kent to sign up and reap the benefits!

“But none of our programmes would happen without the support of our current sponsors. This is a difficult time for charities and without support these, and all of our other programmes, just won’t happen. I would encourage any businesses or organisations out there that want to help to help our children and secure the future of our planet to get in touch.”

This programme is currently supported by Medway Council, KCC, Golding Homes, Volker Highways, Ashford and Maidstone Borough Councils, Henry Smith Charity, Crown Charitable Fund, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Kent Community Foundation, Amity Fund, Rotary, Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust.