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A fifth of children have no idea where they live – because they no longer walk to school
Foot patrol: A survey has found that that three-quarters of primary school children in South-East England could not give their postcode
Thousands of children have no idea where they live because they no longer walk to school.
Being ferried around in the car by their parents has destroyed their local awareness and knowledge, a survey has found.
Three-quarters of primary school children in South-East England could not give their postcode, and a fifth did not know their home address.
When asked what they could see during their journey to school, the majority could not identify landmarks, instead picking up on houses and trees.
Some 22 per cent of children in Bristol and 21 per cent in Newcastle did not know their postcode. In both cases, a little more than half walked to school.
In England, vehicle usage peaked in the South-East where 48 per cent of primary school children are driven each day.
The highest car usage is in Wales, where 57 per cent of youngsters are driven and one in five could not identify the route from home to school. Just 61 per cent of Welsh school children knew their home address.
In London where driving is less common, schoolchildren were the most savvy about their local area. More than three-quarters (76 per cent) walked to school each day, 86 per cent knew their home address and 61 per cent could say their postcode.
Steve Kitson, of Kia Motors UK, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 primary schoolchildren, said: ‘Just like a proper breakfast, walking to school is a great way for children to start the day.
‘Not only are they more alert when they arrive at school, it is good exercise and improves children’s awareness of their local area.
‘More than three-quarters of British kids (78 per cent) live within two miles of their school, so there’s every reason for parents and children to ditch unnecessary car journeys and travel to school on foot.’
By Tamara Cohen
Last updated at 11:38 AM on 17th May 2010
Source: Daily Mail