Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of children travelling to school by (a) walking, (b) wheeling and (c) cycling on learning.

The publication ’Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report’, states that the benefits for young people of doing regular physical exercise include improved learning and attainment. The full publication can be read here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d839543ed915d52428dc134/uk-chief-medical-officers-physical-activity-guidelines.pdf.

Active Travel England (ATE) is the government’s executive agency responsible for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling as the preferred choice of travel in England. They are responsible for a number of schemes which promote active travel to school. For instance, ATE has published School Streets guidance for local authorities in England. A School Street is a road outside a school with a restriction on motorised traffic at the start and end of the school day. The guidance can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-streets-how-to-set-up-and-manage-a-scheme.

Additionally, they provide funding for the Modeshift STARS education scheme, which recognises schools and other educational establishments that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel. More information on the Modeshift STARS education scheme can be found here: https://modeshiftstars.org/education/.

ATE also provides funding for Bikeability, the government’s national cycle training programme. More information on Bikeability can be found here: https://www.bikeability.org.uk/.

Local authorities have a duty to promote the use of sustainable travel on journeys to and from places of education in their area. They must publish a sustainable modes of travel strategy which aims to provide health benefits for children and their families through active journeys and environmental improvements through reduced congestion and improved air quality. Further information is available in the department's statutory guidance for local authorities, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance.