Walking to school may win a prize

An innovative north Norfolk school is taking a step in the right direction to encourage pupils to walk to school. Millfield Primary at North Walsham is introducing a scheme which will reward those who use their legs instead of cars.

An innovative north Norfolk school is taking a step in the right direction to encourage pupils to walk to school.

Millfield Primary at North Walsham is introducing a scheme which will reward those who use their legs instead of cars.

Teacher Andrew Phoenix said: "We spoke to the children to see what would encourage them to walk to school and they said prizes.

"We've tried initiatives such as a park-and-stride campaign and walk-to-school weeks, but they haven't had a lasting impact."

The school plans to install five checkpoints on the routes to school. Each time a pupil walks to and from school, they will have a token stamped by the machine.

Children can then enter a daily draw for small prizes, use their tokens for privileges such as use of play equipment at break time or save up and earn a reward for themselves and their family.

Berry Plastics is making the checkpoint units, and gas company Interconnector is financing the venture.

The school is entering the idea into a European competition for solutions to environmental problems.

Winning schools will benefit from grant money to develop their plans, and have their ideas publicised.