This week has been FHS Walk-to-School Week, where our community have been urged to walk ( or cycle or get the bus or tube!) to school, rather than being driven. And what a week for it!!

5 excellent reasons for not being driven to school include:

  • physical health – walking is obviously better for health and fitness than sitting in a car;
  • air pollution – the exhaust emissions and tyre/brake particulates from cars (even electric ones) is a major contributor to London’s toxic air problem (incidentally, you’re just as exposed to that pollution inside a car as you are outside)
  • congestion – the School Run is responsible for 30% of the traffic in London’s rush hour
  • independence – making their own way to school is a crucial part of a child becoming independent
  • community – cars isolate us; walking and taking public transport connect us.

Head of Sustainability Mr MacDonald-Brown led by wonderful example on Wednesday morning. He said of his experience:

“Walking the 4.5 miles to school this morning from my home in Shepherds Bush was quite the delight! 

Leaving home at 6.15 (earlier than strictly necessary), the first pleasure was the sleepily quiet streets. City streets, sans traffic, are thoroughly charming. 

Then there was the perfect morning sunshine. A gentle breeze. Birdsong and trees in Kensington Gardens. Everything ‘bright and glittering in the smokeless air’ (Wordsworth). 

But most bright and glittering of all…the company! 

I could have quite enjoyed walking on my own to school, but how much better was it to walk with friends. Mrs Vickery, Mrs Banks, Mrs Ramage and Mr Mercer, to be precise. 

There’s something about walking that enables the truest, deepest chats. And the things you spot on the way – the funny buildings, the nooks and crannies, the wildlife – can be instantly shared. It is all excellent medicine for the soul.

This is not a new discovery. Doctors prescribe walking with friends for the benefits it brings to both physical and mental health. There is a Latin motto associated – Dr Hayes tells me – with St. Augustine: ‘solvitur ambulando‘ – it is solved by walking. Or, more idiomatically, ‘Walking does the trick’.

It does indeed – and how lovely to be reminded of it this morning.

solvitur ambulando!”

Thank you so much to all our enthusiastic participants – we’re already looking forward to next year’s Walk to School Week!