In 2022, the National Travel Survey travel diary recorded 53% of primary school children (aged 5 to 10) and 41% of secondary school students (aged 11 to 16) walking to school in England (table NTS0613). Confusingly, children’s usual mode of travel to school as reported by a person aged 16 or over differs – here the results are less optimistic, that 49% of primary children walk to school, dropping to 37% of trips walked to secondary school (table NTS0615).
In Wales the figure is slightly lower - with 40% of younger children getting to school by walking with an adult and 32% of older children walking independently or with friends.
In Scotland, Government figures are slightly older indicating that in 2019 59% of primary school aged children walked to school, falling to 42% after transitioning to secondary school.