THE summer is here and one St Albans junior school can relax after a year well spent tackling environmental concerns.

Wheatfields Junior School in Downes Road has earned itself a reputation for being committed to protecting the planet.

It pioneered the first-ever "walking bus" with children being walked to school en masse from Jersey Farm and Marshalswick, supervised by parents.

One of the children at the school came up with the idea, and the scheme has now been adopted throughout the country to encourage children to come to school in a healthy way.

Headteacher Mrs Carol Lawes said: " I started at the school six years ago and one of the first things I thought I had to do was to tackle congestion outside the school.

"We set up a working group which came up with the idea of a walking bus."

Wheatfield children now come to school via the school bus, cycling or using the walking bus.

The children and the school have managed to persuade more than 80 per cent of parents to make the most of the healthier options and come to leave their cars at home for the school run.

Not only are the staff at the school proud of the attitudes and effort the children have put into being more environmentally aware, the children also have reason to be proud of their headteacher, who this year received an OBE for her contribution to education and commitment to environmental issues.

This strong commitment to environmental issues led to the creation of an inspirational poetry book, entitled Walk This Way, a collection of poetry written by Wheatfields pupils clearly showing how children see the effects of thoughtlessness on their environment.

It was published and launched at Hammick's bookshop in St Peter's Street, St Albans, on Saturday, July 14, with full involvement of pupils who enjoyed signing copies of their book.

Deputy headteacher Bob Bridle said: "It was a wonderful experience for the children and we thank Hammicks for their efforts in ensuring the day was such a success."

The children are clearly very concerned about their environment as shown by one pupil, Nicola Pickering, in her poem, The Way Things Were:

Every day humans stepped onto my soft sand

Swam at my feet

Laughed as they built castles out of my body

At night the waves lapped gently

And I knew I would be happy forever

Nothing prepared me for

Oil spillage

Ripped up paper

Rusty tins

Empty bottles

I wish that things could return to the way they were