This month pupils from Springfields First School, in Yarnfield, will be joining forces with thousands of children from across the UK, and over 40 countries worldwide, to celebrate International Walk to School Month.

Teaming up with local housebuilder Barratt Homes, the school, located close to the new Yarnfield homes development, is encouraging the pupils to reap the benefits of walking to school throughout October. Despite the average distance to a pupil's primary school being one mile, around 50 per cent of children do not walk to school regularly, with an enormous 41 per cent driven in cars.

Adrian Farr, Managing Director for Barratt West Midlands, comments: "Barratt is supporting the campaign for the third year running. A large number of our new homes developments are located within close proximity to schools, and as families move in, it makes perfect sense for Barratt Homes to support International Walk to School Month. By offering pupils at Springfields First School a helping hand and donating 165 hi-visibility wristbands to each pupil, the pupils will be encouraged to walk to school and can stay safe as winter approaches and the dark nights draw in."

It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and therefore walking to school is the ideal time for children to be active. Studies have revealed that walking to school reduces stress in children, and simply walking one mile a day was found to curb increases in blood pressure and heart rate in later life. Studies have also revealed that 90 per cent of parents who walk to school with their children believe it's a great way to spend quality time with them and over a third stated that the journey to and from school is where they find out the most about their child's day.

Mrs Tracey Jackson, Head Teacher at Springfields First School commented: "We believe walking to school is important and try to encourage as many of our pupils as possible to walk to school in a safe and sensible fashion with around 60% living outside the village. It is great to see a developer support such a valuable initiative and we really appreciate the donation from Barratt Homes. Initiatives like this help to get the children excited about walking to school. By increasing physical activity every day, not only is it benefitting the pupils health, the pupils have the opportunity to burn off some energy before the school day begins and we can also reduce congestion outside the school gates."

The new development in Yarnfield will comprise of two, three, four and five bedroom homes. For more information visit www.barratthomes.co.uk/yarnfieldpark

- Ends -

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1)    For further information about Barratt West Midlands please contact Seema Patel, Regional PR Officer, on 01923 297306 or email seema.patel@barratthomes.co.uk; alternatively please contact Katherine Liggatt, Regional PR Officer, on 01923 297380 or email katherine.liggatt@barratthomes.co.uk

2)      Barratt Group sold 12,637 homes in the last financial year, making it the biggest housebuilder by volume in Britain.

3)      Barratt Group was awarded a maximum five star rating for the third consecutive year in the 2012 Home Builders Federation Customer Satisfaction Survey.

4)      In 2012 site managers working for Barratt Group won the highest number of NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Awards for a record eighth consecutive year.

5)      Barratt Group was named Housebuilder of the Year at the Housebuilder Awards 2011.

6)      Barratt Group is the only housebuilder to provide a five year warranty on the fixtures and fittings in its new build homes at the time of purchase.

7)      Images of a selection of developments are available to the media at
http://www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk/barratt/en/media/mediakit/lib