David Iliffe
The challenge coincides with International Walk to School month, which millions of children from across 42 countries take part in.
Mr Iliff said: “There are lots of reasons for taking part, from reducing congestion around the school and reducing our carbon footprint, to health benefits.
“I wanted to practise what I preach and encourage our pupils to walk, which many of them have been doing.
“I know some pupils who’ve also been asking their parents to drop them off a distance from the school so they can walk in.” As chair of Ormskirk Tennis Club and a keen runner who has completed the Great North Run three times, Mr Iliff is hoping to encourage his pupils to be as active as possible.
Building on the success of the week so far, he hopes to make walking buses a regular arrangement and set up road-crossing patrols on busy roads close to the school.
He also hopes to encourage pupils to cycle to school and future plans include building bike facilities and introducing cycling proficiency classes within school.
Mr Iliff added: “This week, I hoped that if at least one more pupil walked to school we would have made a difference, so I’m delighted so many have taken up the challenge.
“We’ve been monitoring how many have been taking part and we will be rewarding the class which has done the most walking with pedometers on Friday.”
laurasharpe
