A TAVISTOCK school has been praised for leading the way in encouraging children to walk to school.
St Rumons Infants was picked out for praise as part of national Walk to School Week, which ran last week.
St Rumons provides its own 'walking buses' escorting children to school. Last year, the school had six buses operating — it is now down to just one while it re-organises its new bus timetable and routes, but teachers hope they will soon be back on track.
The school, which has no on-street parking facility has a bigger incentive than most.
Headteacher Mags Long is convinced of the benefits to pupils of walking to school: 'We've always recognised the health benefits and the walking bus enables some lovely friendships to be formed. Even on wet days the children "on the bus" have a great deal of camaraderie.
'I certainly do believe that as well as health benefits the children have a happy and fun social experience.'
Local firms sponsor the bus, all the children wear fluorescent bibs and are escorted by parents and volunteers.
The bus departs from Abbey car park, Dolvin Road, at 8.30am, arriving at the school 20 minutes later.
Paul Helson, of South West Health Authority said: 'Walking buses are a marvellous idea. Not only do they cut down on car use and pollution, but they also improve the health of the children.
'They are more alert when they arrive at school and they enjoy the experience as well.'
In a Devon survey, nine out of ten primary school teachers consider the walk to school not only benefits health, but makes children brighter, more alert and ready for the first class of the day.
Nearly three-quarters of teachers considered the morning 'drop off' by parents at the school gates a major cause for concern according to the new survey by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions compiled to coincide with Walk to School Week.