Schools across the UK are gearing up for the Big Walk and Wheel challenge this March which is the biggest event on the school-run in the country. More than 1,800 schools have already signed up for the free challenge which is open to all schools and and takes place from Monday 16 – Friday 27 March 2026.
Pupils and teachers from St John the Baptist Primary School in Portadown, Northern Ireland help launch the Big Walk and Wheel 2026.
Now in its 17th year, the annual event will see schools across the UK compete to make the most journeys by walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling to school. There will be prizes on offer for small and large primary schools, and secondary schools, who log their pupils’ active journeys to school.
Sponsored by Schwalbe Tyres UK Limited, the Big Walk and Wheel inspires the entire school community to make active journeys which improve health, wellbeing, air quality and family finances.
Among the schools taking part in the Big Walk and Wheel is St John the Baptist Primary in Portadown where many of the pupils already enjoy walking, scooting and cycling to school. The children there are encouraging schools across the UK to sign up and join in the fun of an active school journey.
School Principal, Mr McComb said: “The Big Walk and Wheel challenge is a wonderful fortnight in the school calendar. With the brighter days of spring, children and their families get out more and experience the joys of an active journey to and from school.
“We find that walking or cycling to school enhances the children’s concentration in class as well as improving their social and communication skills. They often meet their friends on the way to school, and it eases them in nicely to the day. We can’t wait to have more pupils than ever take part this year.”
Children from St John the Baptist Primary in Portadown, Northern Ireland encouraging school-children across the UK to walk, scoot or cycle the school run. Pic credit: Brian Morrison
The Big Walk and Wheel is an annual highlight of the Active School Travel (AST) programme, funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department for Infrastructure (DFI) in Northern Ireland to help more children get active on their journeys to and from school. Although schools do not have to be part of the AST programme to sign up to the fortnight challenge.
Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins said: "I am delighted that my Department can continue to provide support for the Big Walk and Wheel Challenge. Through the support of schools, behavioural change initiatives like this can influence children’s travel choices from an early age, helping them to develop good habits for life."
Dr Hannah McCourt, from PHA, said: “The Active School Travel programme offers a fun and interactive way for children to get moving more and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine.
“It also benefits children’s mental health and wellbeing, and with such a wide range of benefits we’d encourage as many people as possible to incorporate active travel in to the school runs. It’s great to see so many schools join the Big Walk and Wheel this year and hopefully more will join up to help show pupils the benefits of getting more active.”
Active School Travel Programme recruitment
We are also recruiting new schools to join the Active School Travel Programme for the 2026-27 academic year in Northern Ireland.
Visit www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/NIschools to download the application and for further information; or email schoolsNI@walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk. Deadline for applications is Friday 27 March 2026.
To find out more about the challenge and to register, visit: www.bigwalkandwheel.org.uk