The Cardiff school that’s leaving the car at home

In 2018, when Howardian Primary School started encouraging car-free journeys to and from school, just 58% of pupils walked, wheeled or cycled there. Today, the figure is 90% .

The school in the Cardiff suburb of Penylan made the switch as easy as possible. Working with Cardiff Council’s Active Travel Schools team, it started cycle clubs and training sessions, and ran travel events to involve pupils and parents from nursery class to year six.

Choosing active travel has improved the pupils’ wellbeing and helped the environment. Headteacher Helen Hoyle says: “If people are walking, scooting or cycling to school, or using public transport, it reduces emissions and makes the environment safer because there are fewer cars on the road.

“Physical activity also reduces stress and anxiety, and makes the children feel happier in school, so they perform better socially and academically.”

One of the most successful initiatives has been the WOW Travel Tracker programme. This keeps children engaged by awarding badges for regularly walking, cycling or scooting to school. The scheme is funded by Cardiff Council and supported by Living Streets, a UK charity that promotes walking as the natural choice for local journeys.

Helen Thomas, the school’s active travel lead, says: “The WOW Tracker has been brilliant. It helps foster a sense of accomplishment. It’s for every student, regardless of their mode of transport – from wheelchair walks to ‘park and strides’, where pupils who come part of the way by car can park further from the school and complete the journey on foot.”

Making school transport more sustainable

Getting the whole school community involved has been crucial. Howardian Primary School keeps parents informed by sharing information in newsletters and on social media. This includes regular updates on events, competitions and student achievements.  

“When pupils first start at the school, we encourage them to travel actively one or two days a week, working up to every day,” says Helen Thomas. “We give lots of information to parents and guardians to help them with this, such as maps with ‘park and stride’ areas highlighted on them.”

Families can also attend special after-school events, including sessions where bicycles are repaired free of charge. “We want to inspire families not only to join their children in active travel to school, but feel confident doing so,” says Helen Thomas.

Howardian Primary School’s commitment to active travel doesn’t stop at the school gates. It works with teams at Cardiff Council and other schools in the area, pooling resources and sharing tips.

Promoting sustainable transport is a key part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to tackling climate change. It’s dedicated to enabling more walking, wheeling and cycling, especially to schools, and supports councils in improving routes and facilities across Wales.

Want to make your school an active travel champion?

We can all help to create a more sustainable Wales. Explore the Sustrans Active Travel School Plan Toolkit and join the movement for a healthier, greener school run.