Island Kids Get Moving With WOW 'Walk To School' Campaign

School run chaos could soon be a little calmer – and a lot more colourful – thanks to hundreds of Isle of Wight children taking part in a nationwide walking challenge.

Seven Island schools have signed up for WOW – the walk to school challenge, a scheme from charity Living Streets that rewards pupils for ditching the car and travelling actively instead.

The launch got off to a lively start this week with a special guest: Strider the bright and bouncy WOW mascot, who proved an instant hit with pupils, popping up at school gates and classrooms throughout the day.

Joined by Isle of Wight Council’s road safety officer Lewis Campbell and Living Streets coordinator Juliette, Strider helped kick things off with badge giveaways, travel tips and plenty of fun.

The idea is simple: if pupils walk, wheel, scoot, cycle or ‘Park and Stride’ at least once a week, they’ll earn a limited-edition badge every month.

The challenge is already running in over 2,000 schools nationwide, with figures showing it cuts school gate car journeys by nearly 60%.

Taking part on the Island are:

• Greenmount Primary

• Dover Park Primary

• St Blasius C of E Primary

• Brading C of E Primary

• St Francis C of E Primary

• Gatten and Lake Primary

• Queensgate Foundation Primary

Backing the effort are the schools’ Junior Travel Ambassadors (JTAs) – pupils tasked with tracking journeys, dishing out badges and leading by example.

Mr Campbell said:

“We’re thrilled to be launching WOW on the Isle of Wight alongside our Junior Travel Ambassador scheme.

"We’re asking families to consider active travel at least once a week and experience the benefits for themselves, while helping to improve road safety around schools.”

Living Streets chief executive Catherine Woodhead added:

“Walking and wheeling to school keeps us fit, healthy and happy and it’s a great way to reduce congestion and pollution outside the school gates. It’s a win-win!”

The council is funding the programme across all Island schools as part of its mission to create healthier, safer and happier communities.

Families wanting to get involved can email roadsafety@iow.gov.uk or find out more at livingstreets.org.uk/WOW.