MAKING strides – pupils at a Rugby primary school have topped a national league table celebrating children who walk or wheel to school.
Eastlands Primary School came first in the WOW Top Ten leaderboard for October, just pipping long-standing Lancashire champions, Stoneyholme Primary in Burnley, to the post.
WOW, the walk to school challenge from charity Living Streets, awards monthly badges to those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘park and stride’ to school.
Eastlands pupils took part in the autumn WOW Top Ten, which asked them to walk to school as many times as possible during October.
Despite only starting WOW a year ago, 94 per cent of journeys recorded on the interactive WOW Travel Tracker by pupils at Eastlands Primary during October were active, and there were 16 per cent fewer car journeys to the school gates.
Eastlands Primary Head Teacher Samantha Warrington said: “I’m immensely proud of our pupils’ remarkable achievement. We began WOW in April 2025 and we have seen a marked shift in the everyday life of the school community.
“Our children arrive more energised and ready to learn, our families are engaging more actively in sustainable travel, and the school has noticed a positive impact on wellbeing and community spirit.
“Together, we’ve reduced congestion around our school and improved the air quality in our locality. We hope that our success will inspire others to join and experience the benefits of active travel.”
Schools that take part in WOW see 59 per cent fewer car journeys to the school gates and 18 per cent more journeys walking and wheeling to school.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said: “Congratulations to pupils from Eastlands Primary for coming first in the WOW Top Ten.
“Walking and wheeling to school keeps us fit, healthy and happy – and it reduces congestion, air pollution and road danger outside the school gates.
“It’s great that pupils at Eastlands Primary are benefitting from walking to school. I’m sure that they’ll encourage other children and their families to follow in their footsteps.”
