Around 150 children recently took part in a recent Bikers Breakfast at St Margaret Mary’s Infant School in Huyton.
The ‘Bike it Breakfast’ event invited children and their families to cycle or scoot their journey into school and then enjoy a healthy breakfast.
Knowsley Council’s Road Safety Team were also on hand to provide advice and resources about cycling and scooting safely.
It’s the first time the school has hosted the event which is part of their pledge for a Healthy and Active Future and their aim to achieve the Silver Award for the Knowsley Healthy School Awards Scheme.
The pledge involves schools committing to improving healthy eating, physical activity and active travel.
St Margaret Mary’s Infants are focussing on improving active travel, supporting families to be more active and reduce traffic outside the school during drop off and pick up times.
Sarah Codack, one of the healthy school leads at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Infant School, commented: “This is the first Bike it Breakfast event that we have organised, and we were completely blown away by how successful it was! It was wonderful to see so many children ride or scoot to school and for their families to join us for a healthy breakfast once they arrived. We will definitely be planning more of these events in the future.”
Parents and Families have commented:
“Thank you for the invite. It was wonderful to spend a bit of time with the children in school so early, great idea!”
“The girls had a great time!”
“We had a great time. She asked if it is going to be on every Monday ha!”
Hosting events like this can help schools to gain the Knowsley Healthy School Award. The programme supports schools to create positive environments by adopting healthy school meals menus and promoting active lifestyles.
If your school isn’t part of the Healthy Schools programme, but would like to get involved, please contact sophie.aherne@knowsley.gov.uk
Initiatives like this also help schools to achieve their Modeshift STARS accreditation. Modeshift is available to all schools free of charge. It is an online platform that allows schools to upload evidence of their commitment to promoting walking, cycling and other forms of active travel to and from school. It is currently available to all schools in Knowsley and support is available from Knowsley’s Active Travel Officers. Interested schools can find out more by emailing roadsafety@knowsley.gov.uk
Schools signing up to Modeshift will achieve the Gold level of the Healthy Schools Award.