NCS is a WOW school which means that we are partaking in the WOW Walk To School Challenge. This is a year-round scheme that challenges pupils to be more active to earn badges and help the environment.
What are the benefits of walking to school? Children feel happier and healthier, arriving at school refreshed, and ready to learn. Walking also helps to reduce congestion and pollution at the school gates. Parents have even complimented the scheme stating that it allows them to spend some quality time with their children which they may not have got previously.
What is classed as 'active travel'?
What if we can’t walk to school? If driving, ‘Park and Stride’ to help your child earn their WOW badges. Park away from the school and walk the remaining journey. If using public transport, hop off a stop away and walk the rest (recorded as ‘other’ on the WOW Travel Tracker). Where walking to school isn’t an option, Living Streets work with schools to establish a bespoke approach to WOW that works best for their pupils’ needs. Speak to your school Travel Coordinator or WOW Ambassadors for more information.
The WOW badges - There are 10 WOW badges to be earned, one for every month of the school year. A new badge can be earned every month if
pupils walk/wheel, cycle, scoot, ‘Park and Stride’ or hop off at least once a week. WOW encourages pupils to 'Walk with Joy', with badges depicting everything from jumping in puddles to painting. The badges are made in Cornwall from material that was otherwise destined for landfill, including fridge
trays, plastic plates and yoghurt pot off-cuts.
WOW Ambassadors - A WOW Ambassador is an important role a pupil can take on to support the delivery of WOW in school. Their key role is to champion all things WOW in their class and across the school, encouraging other pupils to walk or travel actively to school. They also assist with recording journeys on the WOW Travel Tracker and take the responsibility of awarding WOW badges at the end of each month. Our WOW Ambassadors for the 25/26 academic year are: Tyler, Caoimhe, Mila, Abbie, Alana J, Amelia, Ikeoluwa, Zack, Lewis.