An Ashford school has stepped up a gear with their green travel activity by staging a relaunch of the Walk on Wednesday (Wow) scheme.

Organised by the KM Charity Team, Wow encourages pupils to get to school under their own steam be it walking, cycling, pushing a scooter, or persuading parents to park a short distance from the school and stride the rest of the way.

Charing C of E Primary School are members of the Super Wow scheme, which runs until the end of the summer term and is replaced by Active Wow for the 2017-2018 academic year. The school is trumpeting the importance of walking to school to pupils and parents and has introduced a green class of the week trophy presentation to reward the top walkers each week.

Buster Bug, mascot of the KM Walk to School campaign, made a special visit to the school to witness the school’s first trophy presentation which was awarded to Foxes class. He was joined by Leah Macdonald of Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, who are keen supporters of the campaign, to applaud the children’s efforts. As part of the relaunch the winning class were thrilled to receive an extra prize of tickets to Silver Blades ice skating rink.

Deborah Borthwick, pastoral support manager and walk to school coordinator, said: “Wow is very important to the school. It encourages the children to learn the skills of crossing roads and makes them ready to work when they get here. We find it does help the children with their concentration.”

Head teacher Alison Crockford added: “Our school is on a busy road – the main bus route through the village – so it’s important for us that we try and reduce the number of cars for the safety of the children. Walking also gives children the opportunity to engage in a conversation with their parents or their peers.”

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said: “It is wonderful to see the school championing green travel in this way. There was palpable excitement in the assembly as the pupils awaited to see if they were the winning class of the week. There’s no doubt that children really respond to the fun competitive element of Wow.”

The KM Walk to School campaign is kept affordable for schools thanks to the support of organisations including Kent County Council, Medway Council, Bel UK, Golding Homes, Countrystyle Recycling, Specsavers, Eurostar, Whitefriars, Jelf, Kent Reliance, Orbit, Volker Highways, and Gallagher Aggregates.

Schools can join Active Wow for the 2017-2018 academic year by emailing Sarah Clyne at sclyne@thekmgroup.co.uk or calling 0844 264 0291 or by clicking this link HERE. Bookings received this term will gain a 20% discount on the price plus entry into a prize draw to win a pair of Eurostar tickets.