Renfrewshire School Pupil Emerges Victorious in National Badge Design Competition
A talented pupil from Kirklandneuk Primary School in Renfrewshire, Andrei, has recently clinched one of 11 prizes in a nationwide badge design competition. The young artist submitted his entry to the WOW badge design competition organised by Living Streets, a prominent UK charity advocating for everyday walking.
Living Streets runs the award-winning walk-to-school challenge called WOW, rewarding kids who choose active modes of travel like walking, cycling, or scooting to school regularly with collectible badges. This year’s competition focused on the theme ‘Walk with Imagination,’ challenging participants to creatively illustrate an unconventional journey to school.
Andrei’s winning design, titled ‘Under the Sea,’ stood out among over 200,000 entries, showcasing a vibrant and pollution-free underwater walk. Delighted with his achievement, the 11-year-old shared, “I imagined that I am walking under the sea. There is no pollution, the sea is beautiful and clean.”
Moreover, Kirklandneuk Primary School also topped the Scottish WOW schools’ leaderboard due to the high number of pupils engaging in active travel. Andrei was recognised alongside representatives from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Living Streets mascot Strider to celebrate his success.
Andrei’s winning design is now featured as one of the monthly badges and will be distributed to pupils in more than 1,500 schools across the UK for January. Catherine Woodhead, the CEO of Living Streets, commended Andrei for his exceptional creativity and highlighted the benefits of initiatives like WOW in promoting children’s health and reducing car usage around schools.
Karen MacKechnie, the head teacher at Kirklandneuk Primary, praised Andrei’s remarkable achievement and the school community’s dedication to active travel, emphasising its positive impact on both health and the environment.
The launch of the 2025 badge competition for WOW with the theme ‘Walk with Joy’ coincides with Andrei’s success, encouraging pupils to design badges that bring a smile to their faces. Over 200 primary schools in Scotland participate in WOW, contributing to increased pupil engagement in walking to school and reduced car dependency.
If your school is interested in joining the WOW challenge, contact scotschools@livingstreets.org.uk or visit livingstreets.org.uk for more information.
In conclusion, Andrei’s victory in the national badge design competition not only showcases his creative talent but also underscores the importance of promoting active travel among schoolchildren for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Insights and Summary:
Andrei’s success in the WOW badge design competition demonstrates the positive impact of initiatives promoting active travel among schoolchildren. This victory highlights the significance of encouraging creative expression and sustainable transportation practices from a young age. Living Streets’ efforts to engage children in walking and cycling activities contribute to building healthier habits and reducing environmental impact. Congratulations to Andrei and Kirklandneuk Primary School for their exceptional achievement in promoting active travel and fostering creativity among students.