St Peter’s Primary School in Farnworth have hosted their first ever Tuesday Trotters, a youth-led walk to school promoting positive change towards Active Travel and Safer Streets.
Safe and Active Travel is important to Bolton as part of a package of measures to help the borough meet its Climate Change, Carbon and Air Quality targets, as well as improving public health.
Bolton Council teamed up with St Peter’s, Bolton Wanderers Community Trust (BWitC) and Bright Leaders in a bid to change behaviour and develop the skills of young people.
A new project was co-designed with pupils, who felt it was important to them for five key reasons:
- Make the streets around school safer
- Better for the environment
- Save money by spending less on petrol
- More exercise meaning healthier lifestyle
- Increase confidence when walking to school
The young people showed commitment and worked hard on a promotional video and posters to help encourage their peers and parents to support the initiative.
Their efforts paid off and the walking school bus was a huge success.
Bolton Wanderers players Aaron Morley and Kieran Sadlier showed up to support the students on their journey.
Lisa Simpson, BWitC Programme Lead (Schools & Mentoring), said:
“Bolton Wanderers in the Community were very proud to be part of the School Streets project this morning at St Peter’s School.
“School Streets is not only vital for increasing the safety of children on their daily walk to school, but is also exceptionally important for the environment as well their physical activity levels and overall health.”
Mrs Williams, Headteacher of St Peter’s Primary School, said:
“It was amazing to see so many children being inspired by their peers to join our walking bus.
“Thanks to our Pupil Leader for this great initiative and the work of Chris Reddy and Bright Leaders for getting this initiative off the ground.”
Chris Reddy, Founder of Bright Leaders, said:
“It was so nice to see the hard work from the children pay off. It was a real team effort!
“The staff at St Peter’s really helped to support this youth led initiative but we could not have done this without the help from Public Health Bolton, Tesco Farnworth, BWFC in the Community and let’s not forget their parents!
“To have two Bolton players there was the ‘cherry on the cake’ and having them there helped us launch this initiative.”
Benjamin Worthington, Year 6 pupil and Chair of Pupil Leadership Team, said:
“It was good because we got to meet Bolton players and we did a successful job by getting so many people to join the walking bus.
“I think the school was safer and I think we should do it again.”
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines, said:
“It’s so exciting to see our local school children taking a stand and wanting to make change.
“Keeping active at a young age will hopefully stay with them through their older years and help us to have a healthier population in Bolton.
“Young people are, of course, the future of the town and I am proud they have come together with some valued partners to create something innovative that is making positive changes.
“I wish St Peter’s Primary School lots of luck for the future of Tuesday Trotters – keep up the good work!”
Visit the Let’s Keep Bolton Moving website to find out how you can make positive changes through the five ways to wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Giving.