Time to stretch your legs! Get involved in the Active Travel Programme

08 February, 2018

Now that the mornings are getting lighter and the weather will be improving over the next few months (hopefully!), it is the perfect time to sign up for Sustran’s Active School Travel Programme.  

Funded by the Department of Infrastructure and the Public Health Agency, the programme is for schools that wish to encourage more of their pupils to get active on the journey to and from school. By bike, foot or scooter it doesn’t matter, so long as participants are getting outside and being active.

Sustran is currently recruiting schools to join the programme in September 2018. Successful applicants will be supported by a dedicated Sustrans Active Travel Officer, who will help you run various events and activities. The programme is free to join and runs over a three-year period.

The benefits go far beyond making your school more active. The programme also reduces air pollution in and around schools, as well as supporting teaching about road safety and the Green Cross Code.

The Active School Travel Programme complements existing initiatives your school might already be involved in, including Eco-Schools and the GLP. Sustainability, the environment and climate change are all defined by the GLP as key global learning themes.

If this isn’t enough, evidence suggests that the programme has a big impact. From September 2013 to June 2016, the number of children travelling actively to school increased from 40% to 55% at participating schools. Already, over 280 schools are taking part.

Funds are limited; therefore, not every applicant will be accepted onto the programme.

To find out more information about the Active Travel Programme and how to apply, please click here. You can check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) via this link.  

The deadline for applications is Friday 23 March.