Healthy green travel for St Mary's pupils

1:04pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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St Mary's primary took a giant stride towards healthy green travel this week, as pupils set off on a walking bus to school.

Nearly 50 pupils have already signed up to join the scheme, which set off from the car park at the Clipper Way Pub on Wednesday, May 14 and snaked its way up Mongleath Road to the school gates.

The children, all wearing high visibility jackets, were safely guided on their morning stroll by the driver, school caretaker Alanah Butterly.

A group of parent volunteers also assisted as conductors.

Head teacher Jacqui Scarborough said: "The benefits are enormous. Besides walking to school to get fit and be healthy the pupils arrive alert and ready for their lessons."

She said traffic pollution outside the gates had also been reduced and the area beyond the school gate is safer for everyone.

Mrs Scarborough added: "I would particularly like to thank the landlord of the Clipper Way pub for letting us use his car park.

"I am sure he did not realise when he offered us the use of his facilities that over a quarter of the school pupils would be congregating outside at twenty to nine in the morning."

Parent Keith Thomas said: "It is an excellent idea and green. You can see the road is already quieter and it gives the children a little exercise in the morning."

The initiative has been given the backing of local police officers with PC Andy Filkins even helping out as a conductor on the bus.