Walktober
Let's get moving this Walktober!
Get moving for our wellbeing, our community and our planet.
Walktober is a challenge held each October to celebrate International Walk to School Month. School communities are asked to walk, wheel and use other active and sustainable travel as much as possible throughout the month. Walktober has been run annually by Southampton City Council's Travel Planning Team since 2016.
Walktober 2024 saw 32 schools sign up, meaning approximately 12,800 pupils had the opportunity to take part in the challenge across Southampton.
The competitions
Be inspiring this Walktober!
This October, we’re inviting pupils, families and school staff to share their active and sustainable travel stories to help inspire others to travel differently.
Whether you walk, wheel, scoot, cycle, Park and Stride, or use school or public transport on most days, once a week or for the first time during Walktober – your story could encourage someone else to give a more sustainable journey a go!
Do you cycle to school once a week? Use Park and Stride every day? Or maybe you took the bus to the shops for the first time? By sharing how you travel, what you enjoy and any tips for others, you can inspire change. Plus, pupils and schools could win a prize by entering our competitions!
Pupil competition – My Walktober Journey Report
Pupils entering the competition will have the chance to win exciting prizes such as books, outdoor exploration kits or vouchers.
How to take part:
- Create a report about your active or sustainable journey – whether it’s new or part of your regular routine.
- Be as creative as you like – write, record, present, draw or photograph your journey.
- If you’d like to use our editable competition report form, please download: My Walktober Journey Report
- Once your report is complete, ask an adult to help you submit it using the blue button link below.
- Your school may have a pupil competition collection point or be able to assist with submitting entries - so please ask a member of staff.
- The competition closes on Friday 7th November 2025. Please read the competition terms and conditions before entering.
Click here to submit Pupil Walktober Competition entries
Example Walktober Journey Reports - select the report you'd like to read:
School and setting competition – Walktober Inspirational Stories
By taking part in the Walktober competition, your school or setting will have the chance to win a prize of your choice! Choose from - a pool of scooters, cycle stands or scooter parking. There will also be a runner-up prize available!
How to take part:
- Promote Walktober across your school community and encourage pupils, families and staff to travel actively and sustainably throughout the month.
- Invite pupils, parents, carers and staff to share their journey story to help inspire others. Think about how you can showcase these – through newsletters, social media, your school website, classroom displays or assemblies.
- Log your activities, reports and stories using the Walktober Inspirational Stories competition resource sent to all registered schools and settings. You could include a written summary, photos, screenshots, quotes or links.
- Save your entry as a PDF and submit using the competition entry email, using the blue button link below.
- The competition closes on Friday 7th November 2025. Please read the competition terms and conditions before entering.
Click here to submit School and Setting Walktober Competition entries
Example School Competition Entries - select the entry or story you'd like to read:
Both competitions were fully funded by the UK Governement.