Pupils at Colyton Primary Academy joined thousands of children across the UK to celebrate the benefits of walking during Walk to School Week last week. Walk to School Week is organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking as part of their National Walking Month campaign each May.

Families were encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘park and stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates. To conclude the week they were inspired by one of their own students, Lucy Voysey, to do something a little different. During the lockdown Lucy took advantage of quieter streets and rode her horse to school. This sparked a discussion of other exciting ways to come to school and so the challenge was set! 
On Friday the children arrived in style... on a tractor, skip lorry, horses, go-carts, hover boards, tied together with three legs, on broomsticks, rollerskates, skipping and even on a unicorn!

“This was such a great way to bring our school community together, have fun and raise awareness of walking to school too,” said Aerfen Mills, the head of school. “We have missed our whole school events this year and this really brought a smile to everyone’s faces.” 

Two children also took the opportunity to walk from their home to raise awareness for an orphanage in Africa where children walk 10 miles a day to attend a school. Ebi and Neri walked five and a half miles from their home one morning – a super achievement.  
Mrs Mills said: “This was such a fantastic achievement for Ebi and Neri, we were very proud of them. Especially as they completed a whole day of school afterwards too!” 
The school would like to thank the parents for helping the children arrive safely as well as the people of the town for supporting such a fun but crazy morning.