The classroom benefits of walking to school

27-05-2021

As we come to the end of National Walking Month a local school from Hull is sharing their story around the benefits of walking for children.

Bellfield is a small community school in the heart of East Hull.

Our school ethos is Believe, Persevere and Succeed which drives our whole curriculum and we want all of our children to reach their full potential.

To promote active travel and walking in our school, each class participates in the Daily Mile each day. We had a track painted on the playground especially for these sessions. These sessions have shown to improve behaviour as the children get to burn off any excess energy and are then ready to start work back in the classroom.

We encourage the children to travel to school by either walking, scooting or cycling as this discourages the parents using their cars.

Year 1 participate in balance bike lessons, Year 2 have scooting lessons and Year 5 participate in Bikeability.

Year 3 children took part in a series of sessions for Pedestrian skills during our Road Safety Campaign.

With more children walking to school it has made our roads around the school safer as there is less traffic to deal with.

At Bellfield we think walking to school helps the children create relationships’ with their peers outside of school as they walk to and from school with them. It starts their day with an amount of exercise to focus their brain on the lessons ahead. It also creates a community spirit seeing all of the children and parents chatting whilst walking to school instead of being isolated in a car.,

Our school annually participates in Walk to School Week as well as our Daily Mile.

The impact of more children walking to school has increased their fitness levels. It has given them responsibility for their bikes/scooters and using their road safety.

We provide opportunity for all children to participate in extracurricular sporting activities and competitions with the aim of developing teamwork, resilience, determination and self-belief.