Page 11 - link magazine

Oakhurst comes second in race to be Britain’s keenest cycling school
Oakhurst Primary School took first place in last year’s Sustrans Big Pedal; this year there was fierce competition across the town in the first two weeks
of March to try and prevent it from retaining the position as the UK’s most committed cycling school.
At the end of the 15 day virtual Each stage was a different length
cycle tour of Britain, Oakhurst came and The Big Pedal website used a for-
second to Crosshouse Primary in mula to calculate the number of cycle
Scotland, closely followed by another and scooter journeys, weighted to take
North Swindon school: Haydonleigh account of the number of children in
Primary. each school. The more who took part
The competition from 28 February meant a better chance of winning
to 20 March attracted over 1,000 stages and the overall competition.
schools across Britain, twelve from Children at Oakhurst were asked
Swindon, who had to register the to dress as superheroes to launch
number of children, parents and staff their title defence on 28 February
who left the car at home to cycle or and enjoyed a free breakfast.
scooter on a daily basis. Headteacher Dale Burr, dressed as
Batman for the day, said: “It was an
amazing response. Normally about
75 per cent of children walk or cycle really fun project to get everybody learning more about the areas of the
to school. Well over 90 per cent got involved and try to win again.” country the ride passed through.
involved for the launch.” The school also used the virtual tour See more pictures at www.bit.ly/
Organising teacher Liz Horrobin on the Big Pedal website as a way of oakhurstbigp
added: “We were overwhelmed at the
launch, we couldn’t distribute crois- Tadpole Farm location for North Swindon primary
sants, fruit and yoghurt fast enough. Swindon Council’s cabinet has agreed that a much needed primary school
There was really great support during to serve children across North Swindon should be built at Tadpole Farm - in
the three weeks. It’s inspiring how addition to the school already agreed for the 1,750 housing development.
the children and parents take part in This means negotiations with land owners Crest Homes to accelerate the
The Sugarpuffs Honey Monster school activities like this.” submission of a detailed planning application for the area, the building of
dropped into the Breakfast Club at Mum Mandy Toll, above, who also infrastructure and the allocation of land for another primary school.
Orchid Vale Primary School on 12
March to encourage everyone to keep gets lots of exercise distributing The A council spokesman said getting everything in place for reception children
using their bikes and scooters during Link, said: “We live quite closeby and to start at the new school in September 2014 could be achieved but it was
the Big Pedal try to cycle as often as we can; it’s a a very tight timetable.

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swindonlink.com • April 2013 11

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