The Active School Travel Programme is an exciting initiative for schools in Northern Ireland that want to see more of their pupils choosing an active and healthy journey to school.
Our Active School Travel programme
We have been delivering the Active School Travel Programme across Northern Ireland since 2013.
This programme is funded by the Department for Infrastructure and the Public Health Agency.
We've worked with over 500 schools across the country.
Increasing the number of children who regularly walk, cycle or scoot to school has numerous benefits including:
- increased physical activity levels resulting in improved health and wellbeing
- reduced congestion and pollution around schools
- improved academic performance and attendance rates
- increased road safety awareness
- increased confidence, self-esteem, and independence for young people.
This initiative provides schools with a planned programme of activities throughout the year, both in and out of the classroom.
You'll also get direct hands-on support from a dedicated Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Active Travel Officer.
The fundamental aim of the programme is to provide schools with the skills and knowledge to get more children walking, cycling and scooting as their main mode of transport to school.
Children from Bunscoil Cholmcille, Derry, one of the schools participating in the Active School Travel Programme funded by PHA and DfI, launch the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Big Walk and Wheel 2025 in Northern Ireland. Credit: Stephen Latimer
More children active on the school run
At the end of the 2024-25 school year, the number of children travelling actively to school at participating schools increased from 35% to 45%.
At the same time, the number of pupils being driven to school fell from 58% to 49%.
After one year in the programme, the number of children completing physical activity for at least 60 minutes each day increased from 25% to 35%.
Over 1,600 activities were delivered during 2024-25, reaching over 57,000 pupils, parents, siblings and teachers.
Take a look at the 2024-25 Summary Report to find out more about how the Active School Travel Programme is successfully working to increase the number of children walking, wheeling and cycling to school in Northern Ireland.
How your school can join the Active School Travel Programme
We are now recruiting schools to join the programme for the 2026-27 school year. This initiative provides schools with a free programme of activities over the school year, both in and out of the classroom, with direct hands-on support from a dedicated Project Officer from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. The programme is best suited for primary schools.
If you would like your school to be selected to join the programme, please fill out the simple Application Form and return before the deadline of Friday, 27 March 2026. Please read the AST FAQs and AST School Agreement when completing your application.
Please note that the programme commencing in September 2026 is funding dependent.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at schoolsNI@walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk.
School newsletter
Download the latest edition of the Active School Travel Programme newsletter:
Want to get in touch?
Please email us at schoolsNI@walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk or call 07824 627 674.
