Pupils at a Wishaw primary have enjoyed being part of a new initiative encouraging them to walk to school.
As part of Berryhill Primary School’s COVID recovery - and to support its children and their family’s wellbeing - teachers looked at how they could improve attendance and timekeeping.
After consultation with parents, the Craigneuk school decided to pilot a Walking Bus, an initiative run by principal teacher Marina Mathieson and acting principal teacher, Susan Clelland.
The children helped create a route and all classes participated in Walking Bus themed literacy and maths lessons to plan and organise this initiative.
Mrs Clelland told Lanarkshire Live : “There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to this from the community, with approximately 80 children joining each morning on their walk to school and many parents and grandparents waving to us on our route.
“Children are enthusiastically joining the bus in the morning, and they are motivated to get up and get ready to walk to school with their friends.
“We also have many class teachers and parent helpers who join us on our route ensuring the safety of all.
The school’s headteacher, Carrie Nicol, added: “Parents have been extremely supportive and very positive in their feedback. The staff have stated they see a difference in many children - as they come to school energised and ready to learn.
“We plan to continue the Walking Bus every day to the end of the school year.
“As a Rights Respecting School we know that our children have the right to an education and a right to exercise and our walking bus is helping us to achieve these goals while supporting our families.”
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