Sandfield Primary Get On Their Bikes to Go to School On ‘Wheels Day’

Published on: 7 Jun, 2022
Updated on: 10 Jun, 2022

By Hugh Coakley

Sandfield Primary School held a ‘Wheels Day’ on Friday, May 20, their first active travel day, getting pupils out of cars coming to school and onto scooters, skates and bikes.

Excited Sandfield Primary pupils arriving at school on Wheels Day.

Head Kate Collins thanked the parents and teachers who had organised the day in response to air pollution levels surrounding the school.

She said: “It was wonderful to see so many Sandfield children cycling en masse down Stoke Fields, generating a great buzz of excitement. For some children, this was the first time they had ever cycled to school.

“Events like this are essential in heightening people’s awareness of the need to work together to reduce air pollution levels and to change people’s everyday behaviour.

“Hopefully, this will become a regular event as Sandfield families take up the challenge to travel in healthy ways to school. To achieve this goal, our children will need support from the local community.

Pupils at Sandfield Primary on Wheels Day.

Without the use of private cars, pupils travelled in convoy to reach the school gates, using scooters, skates, and bikes.

Designated traffic marshalls guided the children through the catchment area and to the school gates.

The school said it was a hit with parents and students alike, with clear enthusiasm to make this a regular event that could encourage people to make changes to behaviours in travel choices.

Responses to Sandfield Primary Get On Their Bikes to Go to School On ‘Wheels Day’

Paul Cartwright Reply

June 7, 2022 at 8:07 pm

I loved this, it was so good to see the pupils having so much fun. Air pollution around the school is a big deal, I was really shocked when I read a research paper by Prof Prashant Kumar and the air quality GCARE team at the University of Surrey.

I am looking forward to the next stage of the programme. Well done everyone, good job.
Cait Taylor Reply

June 7, 2022 at 8:17 pm

What a great initiative, well done to all the children, parents and staff at Sandfield.

Wouldn’t it be great to have this as a regular event and extend it to other schools in Guildford.

Cait Taylor is a Lib Dem borough councillor for Friary & St Nicolas
Calum Shaw Reply

June 7, 2022 at 9:23 pm

Great to see so many happy faces. What a brilliant initiative
Julia Shaw Reply

June 7, 2022 at 10:33 pm

What an inspiring event! The kids clearly enjoyed it. Wishing you all the best in keeping it a regular event.
Simon Firth Reply

June 17, 2022 at 8:23 am

Absolutely brilliant.

Let us hope this can continue, there is no better way to start and finish a day at school or work than a gentle ride or stroll.