Parents and children taking part in our new Walking Bus Pilot Scheme have all remarked on how much nicer a start to the day it is than the morning bunfight in Lockington Road.
"Dropping the kids off where there is space and free parking, then watching them set off in their crocodile from such an oasis of calm, with the sound of birdsong cheering them on, is just a lovely way to start the day!" said one parent, with others repeating the sentiment as the week went on. Two Year 4 girls repeated every day how excited they were to do the walk. "We love it!" they said. "We arrive at school happy!"
The scheme has started small (20 children used it this week) but we feel it has legs...
For it to work, we currently depend on volunteers from both the staff and parents. Parents dropping their children must volunteer to walk at least one 'shift' every other week. Leaving cars parked for free, it is merely a 20 minute commitment to get to the school with the walking bus and then nipping back to the park again. "What's not to like about a brisk 20 minute walk to start the day?" said another parent. "I'd walk double that to avoid the chaos in Lockington Road!"
If you would like your child(ren) to join the walking bus, please just show up in the southeastern carpark of Battersea Park at 8.00 or 8.10am and sign up there: or sign up (with no commitment at this stage) with Zoe Wilkinson, our Sustainability Officer, who is running the walking bus: [email protected]
