A SCHOOL has been recognised for encouraging parents to ditch the school run.

Ysgol Glan Aber in Bagillt have become the first school in Flintshire to receive an award for their effort in getting their pupils travelling actively to school.

They have received the bronze School Mark Award on as a result of getting more students walking, cycling and scooting to and from school, more often.

An active school run has so many benefits for young people and schools, from increasing the pupils’ levels of physical activity, helping to promote students’ physical and mental health and wellbeing, reducing the number of cars at the school gates and creating a better environment for the whole school community.

Leading walking and cycling charity, Sustrans Cymru manages the School Mark Award.

It is a bespoke online tool which takes schools through the key steps required to increase and sustain the number of pupils travelling to school actively.

Schools can use the tool to track progress and access a wealth of supporting resources to achieve the three levels of excellence.

The school saw an increase of 76.4 per cent in weekly scooting journeys to school last year, and along with modal shift to walking and public transport, a 10 per cent reduction in weekly car journeys.

The school has been awarded a School Mark award certificate and plaque for their efforts, and will inspire other schools in the area to take the steps needed to achieve Sustrans School Mark accreditation.

The School Mark accreditation scheme is open to all schools in Wales for free. Visit www.sustrans.org.uk/wales/schoolmark

Sustrans works with a number of schools in North Wales, through Welsh Government funding, to help children overcome the barriers preventing them travelling actively and healthily to school.

Paul Noon, headteacher at Ysgol Glan Aber said: “We’re really proud to be the first school in Flintshire to receive this award.

"It’s been a great way to encourage more of our pupils to build physical activity into their daily routine.”

Gwen Thomas, Sustrans schools officer for North Wales said; “It is fantastic to see Ysgol Glan Aber doing so much to help kids travel confidently and safely.

“Walking, scooting, and cycling are good for students’ health, confidence and independence and it makes them better learners in the classroom too.

“We are also very grateful to Welsh Government for supporting our valuable work which has seen huge increases in the number of students travelling actively to school regularly.”