Balbeggie Primary
School Travel Plan 2004/2005
Introduction This travel plan was produced in conjunction with the school board and all staff. All parents and pupils were consulted by questionnaire during January 2004 and their views formed the basis of this plan. The plan takes account of Scottish Executive and Authority advice.
Aims To promote active travel to and from school. To educate children in road safety and thus improve the safety of their journeys. To improve the safety of approach routes to school and in this way encouraging more parents to allow their children to walk/cycle to school. To reduce traffic around the school lane and help the environment. To improve fitness levels of parents and children.
School Description Balbeggie Primary is a small rural school situated close to the very busy main road between Perth and Coupar Angus (A94). The school is set in a large grass-covered area. The site has one entrance via a lane which is shared with two private houses. Quite a few of our pupils travel from outside the village and for some it is necessary to cross the busy A94. At present the school roll is 45 primary and 19 Nursery pupils. The majority of pupils are aged between 4 and 8. There are 3 full time teachers, 3 part time teachers and 6 ancillary staff. The school has an active and supportive school board and is an integral part of the community.
Travel Survey A questionnaire was given to parents and pupils in January 2004.There were 20 family surveys completed out of a possible 31 which was a good response. This survey highlighted the following points: 30% of children live up to ½ mile from the school, with 45% living between 0.5miles and 1.9 miles away. 10% live 3miles or over from the school. 45% of children come to school by bus while 30% travel by foot. 40% of parents would like their child to travel to school on foot while 10% would like their child to cycle. The following reasons were given by parents for not allowing their children to walk or cycle to school; Too much traffic-45%. It is too far-30%. Busy roads-20%. Weather-15%. Not enough safety education-15%. Don’t want to walk or cycle myself-5%. When asked what would encourage or enable children to walk or cycle to school parents the following points were cited. 1. Slower speeds of traffic. 2. Others walking / cycling the same. 3. More road safety education. 4. Better footpaths and crossings. This data formed the basis for our school travel plan which was formulated by staff and school board.
Walk to School Week. During this week long initiative,the percentage of children walking to school increased.This proved quite difficult for some children as they live quite far from the school and travel by bus.However some made a good effort by walking up and down while waiting for the bus to come!We had asked permission from the hall committee to allow parents to park in the hall car park then walk up to school and some parents took advantage of this arrangement however unfortunately this was not sustained after the Walk to school week. The Challenge Fund The Challenge fund is available to all schools that are involved in developing and implementing their School Travel Plan.Funding is available to purchase resources and materials which will help to support Road Safety awareness.We have managed to purchase a good selection of resources which can be used throughout the school e.g. dressing up outfits(lollipop person,traffic police),a wooden story board with different characters and vehicles which can be used to make up stories,car mat,playground paint and marker. Summary of Action Points in the Travel Plan. Implement 20 mph speed limit front a of school Provide cycle storage and shelter within the school playground. Offer cycle training to older pupils Continue to participate in, “Walk to School Week” initiative. Develop a whole school plan to include aspects of Road Safety in the curriculum e.g. through Health/PSD topics. A full copy of the plan can be found on the following page. This includes timescales, expected outcomes and details of how progress will be monitored and evaluation.
BALBEGGIE PRIMARY SCHOOL
ACTION PLAN 2004/5
School Travel Plan School Aim(s)
Quality Indicators: Personnel
Focus Area
Specific Action
Timescale
Resources including External Support
Responsible Improvements to transport systems around the school.
Active School Travel.
Publisise STP and road safety Issues
To implement a 20 mph speed limit on the main road at the front of the school. Encourage parents to park in hall car park and walk up to school to reduce congestion at the end of the school lane.
School Board
2005/6
PKC
School Board Parents
2005/6
Parents
Provide cycle storage and shelter within the school playground. Offer cycle training to older pupils. Continue to participate in walk to school week initiative.
HT and Pupil Council. RSO-Rachel Ewins and Linda WrightSchool Board
Feb 2005
PKC. Travel Plan Budget.
Produce and distribute a leaflet to all families of the school.
Carol Jewell/Linda Wright/ Andrew McCann
Mar 2005
Joyce Turner
JRSOs to update their noticeboard regularly.
JRSOs/Carol Jewell
Start of each Term
RSO/Tayside Police
Include aspects of Road Safety in the curriculum e.g Health/PS
All class teachers
On-going
Streetsense pack /School resources.
Road Safety Officer/School Board/Trained Parents. Pupil Council meetings/ SB meetings/ publicity in newsletters.
Expected Outcomes Parents allowing more pupils to walk to school due to safer environment. Some children cycling to school. Increase awareness of road safety issues. Children walking / cycling safely to school. Raise awareness of need for keeping safe,wearing appropriate clothes and acceptable behaviour.
Monitoring and Evaluation Walk to school week records/ questionnaires and statistics. Observation of use of cycle store. Discussion with pupils and parents. Assess level of understanding appropriate to child’s level.