Pupils receive hi-vis bags to keep them safe during Walk to School Week

Children at Irthlingborough Junior School have been encouraged to make their way to and from school on foot, with help from a local housebuilder.

The school invited parents to leave their cars at home for National Walk to School Week, which ran from 17 to 21 May.

Davidsons Homes, which is building at its Diamond Heights development in the town, provided 60 high-visibility bags to help keep the children safe when walking to school throughout the week and in the future.

The bags will also be used for visits to the local recreation ground during golden time and on school trips.

Walk to School Week is an annual nationwide initiative organised by UK charity Living Streets, which encourages walking among school pupils with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing congestion and pollution.

Nick Garley, Headteacher at Irthlingborough Junior School, said: “We are delighted to receive the donation of high-vis bags for the children. Teaching our pupils about road safety is crucial to keeping them safe to and from school, and the bright, reflective design of the bags will help make the children more visible as they cross the busy roads in our town.”

Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons Homes South Midlands, said: “It’s always important to us to give back to the communities in which we are building, so it’s been a pleasure to work with Irthlingborough Junior School on this worthwhile project.

“The sentiment behind Walk to School Week is one that we value and are proud to be promoting. We hope that our support for the initiative will encourage the schoolchildren to be more active while remaining visible and safe.”

Davidsons Homes has almost finished building 88 properties at Diamond Heights, off Attley Way, where a selection of two and three-bedroom houses remain for sale. Prices currently start at £234,995.