Wilstead Primary School launches first Walking Bus with costumes and bubbles for Bedfordshire pupils

Thursday morning looked a little different for pupils at Wilstead Primary School. Instead of the usual school run, children, parents and volunteers gathered at the new nature park in Wixams for the launch of the school's first Walking Bus, a colourful, music-filled walk designed to get more families choosing to travel to school on foot.

Costumes made from recyclable materials, homemade banners and bubbles turned the walk from Wixams to Wilstead into something closer to a mini carnival than a Thursday commute. Music played as the group made its way along the route, with younger pupils clearly buzzing off the atmosphere as much as the walk itself.

Once everyone arrived at the school gates, there was a celebration breakfast waiting, along with certificates and gift bags to mark the occasion.

The scheme is part of a bigger push at Wilstead around climate education, sustainable travel and pupil wellbeing. Headteacher Caron Brown explained the thinking behind it:

"This summer we lost many learning hours due to the extreme temperatures experienced in our school building. Together with HEART Academies Trust, we are taking climate change seriously and focusing on climate education and adaptation. We are committed to making positive changes, including encouraging more sustainable travel, reducing unnecessary car journeys and ensuring we recycle efficiently and effectively."

Beyond the environmental angle, there's also a wellbeing side to the idea. Brown added:

"We are also mindful of children who experience anxiety about attending school. The journey from home to school can be a significant challenge for some pupils. We hope that travelling together as part of a supportive community will provide reassurance, make the journey more enjoyable and help children arrive at school feeling positive and ready to learn."

Wilstead is hoping the Walking Bus becomes a regular fixture rather than a one-off, with the aim of cutting car journeys, building community connections between families, and getting children thinking early about the choices that affect the environment around them.

It's a small idea with a fairly big ambition behind it, and if Thursday's turnout is anything to go by, plenty of families in Wixams and Wilstead are up for giving it a go.