HENRY VIII paid a state visit to North Waltham Primary School.

The presence of the monarch on the kings and queens themed walk, which was from nearby Cuckoo Meadow to the school, was a reward for the school’s work towards a sustainable travel plan.

The school also received a bronze Stars – Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools – award for its efforts as part of a national scheme run by Modeshift.

Sustainable travel champion and school governor Kate Baylis said the aim of the colourful event was to get those children who already walk to school noticed and motivate others to join in.

Mrs Baylis said: “At North Waltham Primary School we value our environment and we value walking.

“We are encouraged by the number of children persuading their parents to leave the car further away from school so they can walk, cycle or scoot the rest of the way.”

Since 2003, the school has reduced the number of regular car users coming to the school by ten per cent, from 55 per cent to 45 per cent.This has been achieved by the school working with a number of travel initiatives and has been supported by the school travel planning team at Hampshire County Council.

The walk was followed by two regally themed theatre shows put together by drama in education specialists Histrionics, linking the day’s theme with sustainable travel messages.

Hampshire County Council’s school travel planning manager Helen Harris, said: “The school is a deserved winner of this Histrionics event.

“We are delighted that they have earned their bronze Modeshift Stars award and the children are much more aware that exercise is an excellent way to start and end each school day.”