Youngsters and parents at Ranelagh Primary School in Ipswich have stepped up to mark the start of national Walk to School Week.

Ipswich Star: Lesley Dolphin and Tony Goldson launch Walk to School Week at Ranelagh County Primary School with the Road Safety pupils Joseph, (L to R) Lera, Lauren and Scarlett.Lesley Dolphin and Tony Goldson launch Walk to School Week at Ranelagh County Primary School with the Road Safety pupils Joseph, (L to R) Lera, Lauren and Scarlett.

Organised by health charity Living Streets and backed by Suffolk County Council, the week aims to highlight the health and social benefits of youngsters walking to school, as well as reduced traffic impact on the county’s roads at peak times.

Ranelagh Primary School teacher Emily Last said: “At Ranelagh we strongly advocate walking as much as possible as being part of a healthy lifestyle. We are lucky enough to have a bike shelter on the grounds to encourage our pupils to bike or scooter to school as well.

“The junior road safety officers at Ranelagh have designed a competition as part of Walk to School Week where all the pupils in each class are challenged to walk to and from school on each of the five days.

“Those who live further away making it impossible for them to walk are being encouraged to park a greater distance from the school so they can still walk the last part of the journey.”

Ipswich Star: Lera (L to R) Scarlett and Joseph, Ranelagh County Primary School Road Safety pupils walk to school during Walk to School Week.Lera (L to R) Scarlett and Joseph, Ranelagh County Primary School Road Safety pupils walk to school during Walk to School Week.

The week is also tying in with the Suffolk Year of Walking campaign, which also aims to help people across the county enjoy keeping active and celebrate Suffolk scenery.

Health guidelines encourage youngsters to undertake 60 minutes of activity a day, with walking to school a means to achieving that.

Tony Goldson, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for health said: “Walking is a great way of keeping fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. The more children are encouraged to walk from an early age the better as it helps to foster a lifelong healthy habit.

“That’s why Walk to School Week is such an important event – it’s about making the walk to school fun and an opportunity to spend time talking to parents and friends.

“I’d like to congratulate Ranelagh Primary School parents and pupils for getting involved, and hope many more schools will be inspired to follow suit this week.”