Pupils helped to be seen on school run

Pupils at the school, which is located close to Barratt Homes’ new developments The Grange and Sandlands, are being encouraged to reap the benefits of walking to school throughout the winter months.

Despite the average distance to a pupil’s primary school being one mile, around 50 per cent of children do not walk to school regularly, with an enormous 41 per cent being driven in cars.

To ensure pupils are not being put off from walking home by the darkening nights, Barratt and David Wilson Homes have donated high visibility tabards and slap bands to keep them safe and seen.

Philip Lacey, sales director for David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “Many of our new homes developments are located within close proximity to schools and as families move in it makes perfect sense for us to make walking to school safer this winter.”

Jan Ruston, Sales Director for Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “Walk to School Month is a great initiative and we believe that it is really important to ensure that school children feel safe walking to and from school over the winter months, despite the growing darkness.”

Diane Speed, Head Teacher at Heatherley Primary School, said: “We believe walking to school is important and try to encourage as many of our pupils as possible to do so in a safe and sensible fashion. It is great to see local developers supporting such a valuable initiative.”

It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Studies have revealed that walking to school reduces stress in children and walking one mile a day was found to curb increases in blood pressure and heart rate in later life.