Dunseverick Primary School, in Bushmills fought off stiff competition to seize the title in the biggest event on the school-run in the UK.

Sponsored by Schwalbe Tyres UK Limited, the Big Walk and Wheel inspires the entire school community to walk, wheel , scoot or cycle to school to improve their health and wellbeing, as well as save family finances.  

Dunseverick Primary school is just a stone’s throw from the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO Heritage site, which, according to legend, Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill) created from his footprints as he headed to Scotland.

Over the fortnight challenge in March, an incredible 100% of the pupils took part in a ‘Park & Stride’ each day of the school-run which led to them topping the leaderboard for best ‘Medium-sized Primary School’ in the whole of the UK.

Now in its 17th year, the annual event saw 2,515 schools across the UK compete to make the most active journeys – with a total of nearly 2.5 million journeys recorded.

School Principal, Leanne Smyth, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this competition.  We have a weekly walking bus every Friday and it is a great way to start the school day.  

"As an ECO school we are always looking for ways to help our local environment and make children more aware of simple steps they can take to help. 

“Members of our Eco Committee also participated in litter picks during our walking bus. The children particularly enjoyed our ‘singing’ walking bus – singing songs for the whole journey from drop off point until they reached school.

"We are also very lucky to enjoy the amazing views of the North Coast and on clear mornings, Rathlin Island.”

Beth Harding, Active School Travel Manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: “Each year so many schools across Northern Ireland take part in the Challenge with great enthusiasm, so it is wonderful to see winners from schools here.

“Congratulations of course to Dunseverick Primary and to all 244 schools across Northern Ireland that took part in the challenge this year.

“The challenge shows how people of all ages want to travel actively. Not only are pupils and their families enjoying an active school commute, but they’re also saving money, improving congestion and the environment around their schools, and building healthy habits at a young age.” 

Winning schools across Northern Ireland

There are prizes for small and large primary schools, and secondary schools, who log their pupils’ active journeys to school.

There were other success stories from Northern Ireland. Holy Family Primary School and Nursery Unit in north Belfast achieved the top spot in Northern Ireland for large primary schools; while Scarva Primary School in Co Armagh were crowned first place for small primary schools in Northern Ireland.

In the post-primary category, Down High School in Downpatrick came first in Northern Ireland.

For a full list of all the winners, check out the Big Walk and Wheel 2026.