Isle of Wight Council Rights of Way Officers will be leading a walk with Brighstone Primary School on Friday 24th October as part of their work to promote the Island’s network of public footpaths and bridleways and encourage walking among school children and their parents.

The 76 strong group, made up of pupils, teachers, teaching assistants and parents will be taken on a circular walk from the school into the surrounding countryside using the Island’s network of public footpaths.

The walk will include educational ‘chats’ about the landscape encountered, and worksheets will be used by the children to record interesting sights and sounds along the walk.

The School Walks Project is being championed by Isle of Wight Council Rights of Way Officers following their involvement in the 2008 Walking Festival. Officers were inspired to continue their guided walks after the week-long festival finished and contacted schools across the Isle of Wight inviting them to take part in free guided walks local to their school site.

The walks try to incorporate farms, settlements, animals and interesting geographical features where possible and are meant to be both fun and educational. As well as making pupils more aware of the environment surrounding their schools – and how close they are to the countryside – the walks introduce pupils to basic map reading skills and encourage students to choose their own route.

The Island has a vast network of public rights of way, so it is very easy for officers to select routes appropriate for guided school walks. Officers always check the routes beforehand and often visit landowners to inform them of the walks in advance.

To date, Rights of Way Officers have led walks with Summerfields Primary School, Swanmore Middle School and Downside Middle School and it is hoped more schools will sign up for the free guided walks.

Lee Skinner, Isle of Wight Council Rights of Way Officer said: “The walks have been very successful to date and we have received great feedback from the schools. By taking children on guided walks, we can show them just how accessible the countryside is and hopefully introduce a new generation of walkers to our Island’s network of footpaths and trails.

Cllr Alan Wells, Isle of Wight Council member for children and young people said:

“The School Walks Project is a fantastic way of introducing young people to the Island’s many miles of footpaths. The walks increase children’s knowledge of their local area and also help to bring science and geography textbooks to life.

“The council is keen to promote healthy lifestyles and this project is very much In line with our eco-island vision for a healthy and supportive Island. I hope the children and teachers of Brighstone Primary have an enjoyable walk and learn more about the wildlife and countryside near their school.”