A teacher has cycled from Lewes to London as part of his school’s Walk or Cycle to School Week.
Will Galloway, head of outreach and English teacher at Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, encountered obstacles such as hills, bad weather and even a herd of cows on his 80km cycle ride from his home to the school.
The initiative organised by Francis Holland School encouraged pupils and staff to be mindful of the environmental impact of their journeys to and from school, and to incorporate more fresh air and exercise into their daily routine.
One year seven pupil woke up at 3am one morning during the week to walk to school with her dad from Stroud Green to Chelsea, which is almost a half-marathon distance.
At the end of the week, staff and pupils counted up their collective car miles saved, and pupils worked with their form tutors to assess the positive environmental impact gleaned from their efforts.
A statement from the school read: “Including the junior school, about 600 car miles were saved. At about 300g of carbon per car mile, we can say we saved approx. 180kg of carbon.”
The initiative also aligns with the school’s emphasis on mental health and wellbeing, which the school said has been particularly relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Social and environmental responsibility is a big part of school life at Francis Holland, and pupils are encouraged to volunteer their time to raise money for a variety of causes.
Francis Holland School ran its Walk or Cycle to School Week from 21–25 June. The London independent school educates girls aged 4–18 and was founded in 1881.
