In this autumn round-up, we look back at some of the recent achievements of schools from across Wales that are signed up to our Active Journeys programme.
Pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Pentreuchaf have excelled since joining the Active Journeys programme. Credit: Ysgol Pentreuchaf.
We may have a new name and a new look, but the Active Journeys programme is the same as ever.
We’re continuing our work supporting children and young people across Wales to travel sustainably and actively.
The Active Journeys programme has helped pupils, teachers, parents and guardians to become more active on their journeys to school.
Last year, our work led to 14.4% more people travelling actively to school as their usual mode of travel – almost 50% of you are now choosing to walk, wheel or cycle as your normal way to get to school!
Funded by Welsh Government, our free programme works with schools across Wales, including primary schools, secondaries, colleges, PRUs and ALN schools.
We’ve space for more schools to join the programme, so why not share with your local school cluster and see how many people you can get moving – don’t miss this opportunity to share and sign up!
Schools recognised in the Active Travel School Awards
Schools across Wales have been working hard to achieve their Active Travel School Awards (ATSA), embedding active travel into their school travel plans and culture.
We’re thrilled to celebrate the many schools that have earned their Bronze Award, including St Mary’s Catholic School, Ysgol Bro Ingli, and Ysgol Pontybrenin.
We saw eight schools in Gwynedd successfully receiving their Bronze Award, with Ysgol Pentreuchaf getting a special mention.
After only a year on the programme, they’ve achieved their Bronze Award and during this year’s Big Walk and Wheel they recorded a staggering 45% of daily active journeys – an incredible shift considering their pupils were making 100% of their journeys to school by car/bus at the time of applying to the programme.
Brynmenyn Primary School in Tondu were visited by the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, to celebrate their Bronze Award.
“It was a pleasure to celebrate Brynmenyn Primary School achieving their Bronze Active Travel School Award,” said the Deputy First Minister.
“Their inspiring dedication to active travel, alongside the opening of the brilliant new active travel route [on the National Cycle Network] supported by Welsh Government funding, is making a real difference.”
There’ve also been some fantastic Silver Award celebrations, including Ysgol Sant Elfod and Ysgol Penllwyn.
A special congratulations goes to Ysgol Maes Derw, the first pupil referral unit (PRU) in Wales to achieve the Silver Award.
The school has made cycling and bike maintenance a key part of its life skills curriculum, helping pupils build confidence and independence.
Did you know that taking part in the Active Travel School Awards helps toward Healthy and Eco Schools goals, as well as offering a great way to create excitement around active travel?
A special mention also goes to Ysgol Emmanuel in Rhyl, for receiving their Gold Award and demonstrating a fantastic commitment to healthier, more sustainable journeys.
Ysgol Maes Derw became Wales' first pupil referral unit (PRU) to achieve their Silver Active Travel School Award. Credit: Martin Thomas.
Sustainable secondary schools
We’ve been really excited to work with secondary schools across Wales.
This term, we’ve been working with secondaries in Ceredigion, Swansea, Powys and Wrexham to promote Active Journeys.
Our flexible programme is designed to suit the unique needs of each school, offering a variety of projects that work well in both secondary schools and colleges.
We’ve been working with enthusiastic students and have had fun developing their bike maintenance and practical skills, and completing National Standards cycle training to boost confidence and safety.
We’ve also been working with students on the inspiring #AndSheCycles project, encouraging more girls to cycle.
This student-led project empowers girls to keep cycling, supporting them to set up their own cycling groups and have fun on led rides.
Up in Wrexham, Ysgol Bryn Alyn’s school council took the initiative to use their voice and ask their school leadership to create an Active Travel School Plan (ATSP).
Since joining the programme, the pupils have been enjoying bike maintenance workshops that have really caught the attention.
Many of our activities, including #AndSheCycles, align with the Welsh Baccalaureate, and our officers are ready to support the pupils with their projects.
The art of active travel
Active travel isn’t just about the journey to school – it can be part of the classroom experience, too!
Our brilliant learning and development resource is full of great ideas to help you bring active travel inside and embed it in your teaching.
We’ve developed lesson ideas, primarily for KS2 classes, to help with numeracy, literacy and digital competence.
We love to see when our schools get really creative, too.
Some of our Active Journeys schools have been using recycled materials to make artwork and key rings, as well as designing posters to promote active travel in their local communities.
There are so many ways to embed active travel into the curriculum – just ask your local Active Journeys Officer for more information about our free learning resource and see how you can incorporate our resources into your lessons.
