Schools Go Smarter by Northumberland https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter Information about travelling to school sustainably in Northumberland en-us 2023-02-21 12:15:06 UTC 2026-05-11 07:50:44 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/958703710/642c3c8cb06bc39cb3ce022482c338e2/SchoolsGoSmarterSQ.jpg Walk to School Week in May tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609034600 Walk to School Week is the national celebration of walking to school organised by the charity Living Streets. It is usually held during the third week of May and is part of National Walking Month every May
Schools can run a five-day walking challenge with classroom packs provided by Schools Go Smarter or use our guide to develop your own activities.

]]> 2023-05-30 11:38:08 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609034600 See what happened during Walk to School Week in 2023 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609100257 Check out our W2SW pack, full of ideas and inspiration for schools to pick and choose from.]]> 2023-05-30 12:47:47 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609100257 Walk to School Month in October tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609139011 In October we support International Walk to School Month with 4 themed weeks covering walking, scooting and cycling, road safety, the environment and some suggestions for half term.  Sign up for Walk to School Month 2024 here

Check out our roundup from Walk to School Month 2021.

]]> 2023-05-30 13:21:20 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609139011 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609143845 We will be adding more resources to our Padlet over the coming months, including.
  • How to set up a Walking Bus?
  • Just what is the difference between a Park and Stride and a Five Minute Walking Zone - all will be revealed!
  • How to get started with Modeshift STARS? 
  • Case studies 
  • Resources for schools
  • Information about Bikeability
and much more, so come back and see us soon!

If you've done something amazing you'd like to share with other schools or if you have a burning question that needs answering, contact us at tracy.aitken@northumberland.gov.uk

]]> 2023-05-30 13:25:15 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609143845 Events at Parents Evenings tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609181136 At their recent parents evenings Abbeyfields First School, staff and the Go Smarter Team spoke to families about their travel habits and discussed practical alternatives to parking at the school gate.

'Engaging with our families at our parents' evenings worked really well, talking to them in person had much more impact. The map made them think about the more sustainable options available to them for their journey to school and we were able to carry out the whole exercise in a friendly supportive way rather than coming across as nagging.' Business Manager Abbeyfields First School

What do you need to do this?
You don't need much 
  • A large map of your school- ask the Schools Go Smarter team.
  • Sticky dots or pens to mark where families live. 
  • A method to capture any comments. 
  • A fun activity or an icebreaker to encourage parents to come and talk to you. 
 
Take some photos of your event and report your findings on your newsletter. 
Remember if you are taking part in Modeshift STARS an event like this will count towards your accreditation and consultation initiatives. 
 
Ask the Go Smarter team for help, we are happy to come to parents' evenings or similar events or can help you organise one yourself. 
]]> 2023-05-30 13:56:06 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2609181136 The Big Walk and Wheel tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2610644625 The Big Walk and Wheel challenge organised by the charity Walk Wheel Cyle Trust (formerly Sustrans) is an UK wide inter-school competition held every March which encourages pupils to walk or wheel to school.


Schools log their daily journeys to progress up the leaderboard and be in with a chance of winning a variety of daily prizes, all schools are entered into the daily prize draw if at least 15% of your school takes part each day.


Why not sign-up for 2026 - it's free to take part and an easy way to raise the profile of active travel at your school.

You 'll also find assemblies and curriculum resources to download, find some of them below.


Registration is open now.

]]> 2023-05-31 14:56:43 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2610644625 Northumberland Bike Month in June tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2610667012 June is Northumberland Bike Month, which incorporates National Bike Week usually during the second week of the month.
We use the month as an opportunity to promote all things cycling or scooting (we don't mind). Schools could hold an Active Break Time or Bling your Bike activity or go on a bike ride.
Each year we will share a resource pack of ideas and ask schools to tell us what they are doing, so we can celebrate it.
Check out this year's resources above.
Pencil in June for next year and start planning now.]]> 2023-05-31 15:17:21 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2610667012 Sustainable Travel Calendar- we are updating this document it will be back soon! tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2610682071 See at a glance what's coming up and plan all your schools Sustainable Travel activities using our handy calendar.

For Road Safety information and advice contact highwaysprogramme@northumberland.gov.uk or check out the Road Safety Padlet

]]> 2023-05-31 15:30:38 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2610682071 Involve pupils in monitoring the traffic tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2628190997 School Council pupils from Bishops Primary School in Ashington have been helping to support their School Street scheme by monitoring traffic at the school gate on a regular basis. The school has found that parents are more likely to adhere to the rules if staff and pupils are outside to remind them and Deputy Headteacher Heidi Barnes said ‘children love supporting the staff and being more present outside the school has had a big impact, the majority of parents are now Parking and Striding’ 

]]> 2023-06-20 13:44:44 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2628190997 Summer 2023 Newsletter tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2665800855 2023-08-18 13:38:31 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2665800855 W2SM template - everything you need to organise W2SM- update coming before summer 2026 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2689077944 Use this template to plan your own W2SM, just pick which activities you'd like to do, and if you need a bit more information about how to deliver anything get in touch with tracy.aitken@northumberland.gov.uk

See what our schools got up to in previous years here.

]]> 2023-09-07 15:37:24 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2689077944 Creative Walk book tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2691455548 Grab a cuppa and have a read of our Creative Walkbook and see if you can come up with your own 'walking recipe' which could be included in our school's booklet.
We will be adding a template here very soon which you can use to submit your ideas and if you'd like to run an activity at your school to come up with some creative walking recipes, please get in touch tracy.aitken@northumberland.gov.uk
If you'd like to find out more, check out the Walk Create project who kindly allowed us to adapt some of their ideas from The Walkbook-Recipes for Walking and Wellbeing.]]> 2023-09-09 06:23:11 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2691455548 Modeshift STARS and W2SM tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2691459206 Use this guide to see how you Walk to School Month could help you gain Modeshift STARS accreditation.
You can book an introduction to STARs session here which will help you get started with the basics or ask for a refresher if you signed up but it's a while since you've used the system.]]> 2023-09-09 06:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2691459206 Climate Change and Sustainability resource pack tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2704651876 Northumberland County Council has developed a Climate Change and Sustainability Resource Pack especially for schools in the county. It supports teachers to tell the story of climate change through a Northumberland lens school can use this resource during Walk to School Month.

You can also find out more about NCC Climate Change Team's work with schools here and the teams wider remit at Northumberland County Council - Climate Change 

]]> 2023-09-14 18:03:42 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2704651876 Hold a Community Litter Pick for Walk to School Month tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2704683694 Did you know that schools can borrow a litter picking kit from our Local Services Team to clean up the area around their school and raise awareness of the impact of litter on the environment? Some of our schools did this as part of W2SW in May, including Holy Trinity First School in Berwick.
Please contact samantha.wilkie@northumberland.gov.uk to request a litter picking kit.]]> 2023-09-14 18:26:36 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2704683694 Big Northumberland Sea Shanty tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2706306978 Did you know we have our very own Sea Shanty written especially for us by the amazing local folk musician Sandra Kerr, who also wrote the music for Bagpuss the children's TV programme!
Let us know if you'd like a copy of the music and lyrics and when you've mastered it, maybe you could send us a short film of your school performing it, we'd love to see the Sea Shanty brought to life by our schools!]]> 2023-09-15 18:33:54 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2706306978 Summer 2024 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2839638180 Here's our Schools Go Smarter newsletter from Summer Term 2024.

]]> 2024-01-05 11:04:26 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/2839638180 Autumn 2023 Newsletter tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3104023160 Schools Go Smarter Autumn 2023

]]> 2024-09-05 10:50:52 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3104023160 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3104063904 Check out Allendale Primary Schools Creative Walking Book, get in touch if you'd like to do something similar at your school.

]]> 2024-09-05 11:29:22 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3104063904 Walk to School Month tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129888266 You can download this image to promote W2SM at your school.

]]> 2024-09-20 13:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129888266 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129889889 Download this template and ask your students to plan a week of walks.

]]> 2024-09-20 13:56:32 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129889889 Walking Randomiser - make your own tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129891485 Use a blank sheet of paper and follow the instructions to make your own Walking Randomiser- and have some very random walks!

]]> 2024-09-20 13:57:34 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129891485 Walking Randomiser - ready made tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129896074 Print out this sheet and follow the instructions to make a Walking Randomiser.

]]> 2024-09-20 14:00:30 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129896074 Walk to School Month flyer tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129905599 Use this flyer to promote W2SM at your school.

]]> 2024-09-20 14:05:07 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129905599 Social media post tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129906390 Use this flyer to promote W2SM on your social media channels.

]]> 2024-09-20 14:05:40 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3129906390 Autumn 2024 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412323975 Schools Go Smarter Autumn 2024 newsletter.

]]> 2025-04-16 10:55:24 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412323975 Spring 2025 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412324902 Newsletter for Spring Term 2025

]]> 2025-04-16 10:56:31 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412324902 KS 2 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412332255 Download this lesson plan all about animal footprints and habits..

]]> 2025-04-16 11:06:44 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412332255 KS2 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412333246 Download this lesson plan about and investigate how different generations have walked to school.

]]> 2025-04-16 11:08:10 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412333246 KS2 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412334890 Download this lesson plan to help pupils find out how they can be safer when walking to school.

]]> 2025-04-16 11:10:24 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412334890 KS2 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412335788 Download this lesson plan focussed on litter and how that makes us feel when we are out walking.

]]> 2025-04-16 11:11:35 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412335788 KS2 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412336954 Download this lesson plan to help pupils learn about the physical and mental health benefits of walking to school.

]]> 2025-04-16 11:13:18 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412336954 KS2 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412341205 Download this lesson plan to investigate the benefits of a 5 minute walking zone at your school.

]]> 2025-04-16 11:18:34 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412341205 KS1 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412534879 Download this lesson plan to investigate how people travelled to school across different generations.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:15:36 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412534879 KS1 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412542331 Download this lesson plan to understand why we shouldn't leave litter- could a cleaner environment encourage more walking?

]]> 2025-04-16 14:20:59 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412542331 KS1 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412544745 Download this lesson plan to find out how to stay safe on the walk to school.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:22:54 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412544745 KS1 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412545985 Download this lesson plan to understand the physical and mental benefits of walking to school.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:23:58 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412545985 KS1 Lesson Plan tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412547782 Download this lesson plan to learn how to identify animal tracks and walking habits.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:25:18 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412547782 Scavenger Hunt tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412549683 Ask pupils to complete this scavenger hunt on the way to school or create your own using some of these ideas.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412549683 Family Walking Activity Book tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412550939 Share this walking activity book with your families or use some of the ideas in school.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:27:44 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412550939 Walk to School Activities to try out tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412555052 10 stand-alone activities to set as homework or do as a class during W2SW., to encourage pupils to think more about the walk to school.

]]> 2025-04-16 14:30:36 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3412555052 Clean Air Day June 2026- update coming soon tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488200931  

You can find more information about Clean Air Day here:  

UPDATE coming soon

]]> 2025-06-12 11:44:03 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488200931 Pledge template tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488203928 Ask your pupils to make a pledge for Clean Air Day.

]]> 2025-06-12 11:47:20 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488203928 Event Guide ideas tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488204465 2025-06-12 11:47:59 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488204465 Poster tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488204893 2025-06-12 11:48:23 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488204893 Banner for newsletters tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488205455 2025-06-12 11:48:56 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488205455 Event poster tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488206378 Use this template to promote any events.

]]> 2025-06-12 11:50:03 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3488206378 Summer 2025 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558862137 Newsletter Summer 2025.

]]> 2025-08-28 14:56:42 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558862137 Cycle to School Week KS2 resource pack tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558892625 2025-08-28 15:20:30 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558892625 Cycle to School Week KS1 resource pack tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558892933 2025-08-28 15:20:44 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558892933 Cycle to School Week EYFS resources tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558893787 2025-08-28 15:21:19 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558893787 Cycle to School Week posters tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558896759 2025-08-28 15:23:54 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558896759 Cycle to School Week Certificate of Achievement tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558897300 2025-08-28 15:24:24 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3558897300 Create your own walking recipe tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563440850 Use this template to create some walking recipes for your school which could be included in our Schools Creative Walking Book.

If you'd be interested in a workshop for your school let me know.

tracy.aitken@northumberland.gov.uk

]]> 2025-09-01 14:46:59 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563440850 Activity dairy ages 4-7 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563441593 2025-09-01 14:47:57 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563441593 Information for newsletters etc tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563463307 Adapt this to use in your school newsletter or parent mail.

]]> 2025-09-01 15:14:35 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563463307 W2SM Poster General tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563493067 2025-09-01 15:52:20 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3563493067 W2SM Poster General tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3568860742 Download and use.

]]> 2025-09-04 12:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3568860742 Assembly slides tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3568899344 Use these slides in assembly.

]]> 2025-09-04 12:53:41 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3568899344 Autumn 2025 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773561602 Newsletter Autumn 2025.

]]> 2026-02-02 11:51:56 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773561602 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773566803 2026-02-02 11:57:08 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773566803 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773567673 2026-02-02 11:58:07 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773567673 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773567992 2026-02-02 11:58:29 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3773567992 Latest Newsletter- Spring 2026 tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3906599315 Here's our latest newsletter for the spring term 2026.

]]> 2026-05-11 07:46:30 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3906599315 NEW Walk to School Week Assembly tracy_aitken https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3906605422 New for W2SW 2026 Living Streets have created an assembly for schools to promote W2SW.

]]> 2026-05-11 07:50:42 UTC https://padlet.com/Northumberland/SchoolsGoSmarter/wish/3906605422