Derry school children  ‘Ditch the Dark’ with Sustrans programme

Students and teachers from Good Shepherd Primary School donned their shiniest, brightest and most reflective clothing on Friday morning when they travelled to and from school by bike, wheels or walking, as part of their ‘Ditch the Dark’ day. 

Their beautiful, bright efforts are part of their engagement with the Sustrans Active Schools Travel programme, funded by DFI and PHA. The school are in their second year of the programme and have seen incredible success in the number of students choosing an active and healthy journey to school. 

The pupils want the air quality around the school to be improved by seeing less cars at drop off and pick up times. They have been working hard to make sure they have a sheltered space to park their bikes and scooters, as well as learning the skills and knowledge to travel to school safely. 

Increasing the number of children who regularly walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school has lots of benefits including: increased physical activity levels resulting in improved health and wellbeing; reduced congestion and pollution around schools; improved academic performance and attendance rates; increased road safety awareness; increased confidence, self-esteem, and independence for young people.

Sustrans’ Active Schools Travel officer for the Northwest, Donna McFeely, said: "The programme is changing habits and behaviour through offering practical support for students and schools. 

"Helping children and young people learn the knowledge and skills they need for active travel is a life skill that will stand to them. Not only is it fun; it helps them assess risk, notice the beauty in the changing seasons and get the physical activity they need to grow happily and healthily.” 

Mrs McCafferty, principal of Good Shepherd Primary school said: “It's great to see so many of our children arrive at school in bright clothing after their active journey, I hope it encourages our wider school community to be safe on their active travel journeys as we come into the darker months.” 

To find out more about Sustrans and Active Schools travel, you can visit the Sustrans’ website or call in to the Active Travel Hub, based in the Duke Street train station.