Over the past academic year, over 16,000 students from 47 local schools have significantly reduced their carbon footprints through Zero Carbon Harrogate's Walk to School and Car Free Friday campaigns. This remarkable community effort deserves recognition and celebration for its positive contributions to the environment and the health of our students.
Knaresborough St. John's with Harry Gator
The Walk to School campaign has been a tremendous success, engaging schools across Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Nidderdale, and Ripon. Zero Carbon Harrogate, Ripon Together volunteers, local sustainability company Flotilla, local councillors, and Mayors have all supported this initiative. Harrogate Town AFC’s Harry Gator mascot and North Yorkshire Council’s Spike the Road Safety Hedgehog have added fun and excitement to the event days, motivating students to participate.
ZCH's Campaign Event Manager Fiona Jones at St Mary's in Knaresborough with local supporters from the community
Pupils from Birstwith CE Primary School shared their thoughts on the campaign: "I really like walking to school; it’s important for your health and the community. It is good for the environment and global warming because most cars are petrol or diesel, and this causes pollution. Plus, it is great exercise!" Another student added, " It is great to walk and not miss out on lovely weather by being trapped in the car; I enjoy biking home after school, which is always good fun!"
Boroughbridge Primary School pupils also enjoyed participating, with one pupil stating; "I don’t walk every day, but I’ve done every Walk to School event.” while another noted, "We do it so that we have less cars outside the school. When Spike joined us, there were actual spaces on the road."
Boroughbridge Primary school pupils walk with North Yorkshire Council’s Spike the Road Safety Hedgehog
The Car Free Fridays campaign has also expanded, with nearly all Harrogate secondary schools and Harrogate College taking part. The Harrogate Bus Company has been a strong supporter, providing 2-for-1 tickets on Fridays to encourage local commuters to join in.
Matt from Harrogate Bus Company with ZCH Chair Jemima Parker and volunteer Jessica promoting the Car Free Fridays collaboration
St. Aidan’s C of E School is the most recent secondary school to join, making a positive impact by encouraging walking, cycling, or using the school bus. Kate Caine, Marketing and Communication Manager at St. Aidan’s, remarked, "We were delighted to take part in Car Free Friday as part of our Eco Week activities. Sustainability is vital here and we look forward to making it a regular event each year."
St Aidan's students with Harry Gator
To celebrate these wonderful achievements, at the end of the academic year, schools and colleges were awarded certificates for their participation. Achieving Gold status required taking part in at least five of the six Walk to School or Car Free Friday events. This year, 27 schools achieved Gold, an increase from last year's 23. Two schools achieved Silver, and 14 earned Bronze!
(For a full list of award winners, we have included a table at the end of this article).
Fiona Jones delivering the Silver Award to Harrogate College for their participation in Car Free Fridays
Fiona Jones with two pupils at Boroughbridge Primary School delivering a gold award for their participation in the campaign
Rossett Acre Headteacher, Corrine Penhale, expressed her pride: "We are delighted to be awarded the Gold Award for our commitment to the Walk to School Campaign. It is so important to encourage our families to walk to school for many reasons, including reducing our carbon footprint, making roads safer, and improving physical and mental health."
Rossett Acre receiving their award with Headteacher, Mrs Corrine Penhale
Fiona Jones, Walk to School and Car Free Fridays Event Coordinator, shared, “Since the campaigns began in June 2021, Walk to School Days and Car Free Fridays have gone from strength to strength. It has been a wonderful way to unite our local school communities through positive climate action. We are looking for more Event Coordinators to build our campaign further, so please get in touch if you would like to make a positive difference in your local community at hello@zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk.”
Recently appointed ZCH Climate Action Coordinator Sunita Soundur had the pleasure of joining her first Car Free Fridays event at St Aidan’s along with ZCH Chair Jemima Parker, and commented:
“Walk to School and Car Free Fridays are such a great way to start the day! It's a simple concept, but every person's effort to make these seemingly small swaps to reduce their carbon emissions matters – and when we are visible about what we're doing, that's where change really starts to happen... as we've shown with these campaigns, climate action doesn't have to be a chore but can be really fun, engaging and absolutely worth celebrating – the students seemed really happy to be taking part!”
Sunita Soundur and Jemima Parker from ZCH with Harry Gator and St Aidan's Headteacher Mrs S. Dover
To stay updated on Zero Carbon Harrogate’s news, events, and activities, and to get involved in the Walk to School and Car Free Friday campaigns, please visit the Car Free Fridays and Walk to School Day pages.
To apply to be an Event Coordinator for these campaigns, please see the role description here, and email hello@zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk
Zero Carbon Harrogate is a climate action charity dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions in the Harrogate District. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and community through campaigns like these.
Full list of Award Winners
Car Free Friday Award Winners
Rossett School | Bronze |
St Aidan’s Church of England High School | Bronze |
Harrogate College | Silver |
Ashville College (Senior) | Gold |
Harrogate Grammar School | Gold |
Harrogate High School | Gold |
Walk to School Day Award Winners
Ashville College (Pre, Prep) | Bronze |
Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School | Bronze |
Follifoot Church of England Primary School | Bronze |
Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School | Bronze |
Knaresborough, St John's C of E Primary School | Bronze |
New Park Primary Academy | Bronze |
Outwood Primary Academy Greystone | Bronze |
Ripon Cathedral Church of England Primary School | Bronze |
Saltergate Infant & Junior School | Bronze |
Starbeck Primary Academy | Bronze |
Western Primary School | Bronze |
Willow Tree Community Primary School | Bronze |
The Federation of Holy Trinity C of E Schools and Nursery | Silver |
Admiral Long Church of England Primary School | Gold |
Aspin Park Academy | Gold |
Bilton Grange Primary School | Gold |
Birstwith Church of England Primary School | Gold |
Boroughbridge Primary School | Gold |
Coppice Valley Primary | Gold |
Grove Road Community Primary School | Gold |
Highfield Pre & Prep School | Gold |
Hookstone Chase Primary School | Gold |
Killinghall Church of England Primary School | Gold |
Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School | Gold |
Oatlands Community Junior School | Gold |
Oatlands Infant School | Gold |
Pannal Primary School | Gold |
Ripley Endowed (Church of England) School | Gold |
Rossett Acre Primary School | Gold |
Scotton Lingerfield Primary School | Gold |
Sharow Church of England School | Gold |
Spofforth Church of England VC Primary School | Gold |
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School | Gold |
St Mary's Catholic Primary School | Gold |
St Robert's Catholic Primary School | Gold |
St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School | Gold |
Tockwith Church of England Primary Academy | Gold |
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