How could you travel to school? 2015/16
A practical guide for Hampshire parents and carers about safer, active and sustainable travel to school.
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Contents
Now is the perfect time to look at how your child will travel to school.
The school run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The school run is a great opportunity to start your child’s day in a positive and energized way and walking, cycling or scooting contributes towards the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. By leaving the car at home or a short distance away from the school gate, families will help to reduce congestion, make the school environment safer and our children will be healthier, happier and ready to learn. For many reasons, it can be difficult to walk the whole journey. However, through our individual choices, we can all make a difference. This booklet outlines how families can make small and easy changes to their journey to school that can make a big difference.
How do we travel to school? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Journey planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Bus, train and school transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Walking to school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Cycling and scooting to school Driving to school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13 Seat belt laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Child pedestrian training and road safety resources. . . . . . . . . . . . .15 School Travel Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Useful contacts at Hampshire County Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Useful websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Competition drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
We walk to school on Fridays when I don’t have to rush off to work.
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The school run
How do we travel to school?
Our vision is for children to regularly walk, cycle or scoot to school. As a result children may perform better academically, as they are mentally and physically healthier and are more independent. Neighbourhoods where people walk and cycle more are safer and more pleasant because there are fewer cars.
There are almost 600 schools in Hampshire (not including Portsmouth and Southampton). The chart below gives a snapshot of how Hampshire children travelled to school over the last 12 years (2003-2015)
How can we achieve this?
Hampshire School Travel 2003 - 2015 60%
Walk
• We can change our own travel behaviour, thereby supporting the health and well-being of our families and school communities • Schools can include active travel in their school curriculum and ethos • We can work together to develop transport schemes that remove barriers to active travel
50%
To see what initiatives are currently running which your school could be involved with, visit myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool
20%
Cycle 40%
Bus/Taxi 30%
Train Car Total 10%
Safer, active and sustainable travel to school
5
4
20 1
3
20 1
2
20 1
1
20 1
0
20 1
9
20 1
8
20 0
7
20 0
6
20 0
5
20 0
4
20 0
20 0
20 0
3
0%
Source: Hands-up data (2003-2006) and School SIMS data reporting system (2007-2015)
The latest of travel survey shows that in 2015 28% of children in Hampshire are travelling to school by car (32% if you include car sharing). This is a reduction of 12% of pupils travelling to school, whilst the proportion walking has increased by 12%. That’s around 20,000 fewer car journeys on the road every week day morning during term time.
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Journey planner
Bus, train and school transport
Our journey planner helps people make smarter travel choices in Hampshire by planning their journey for them. It recognises Hampshire place names like schools, so you don’t have to remember the postcode.
The County Council has a duty to provide free transport between home and school for some children. The Passenger Transport Group currently provides transport for more than 11,000 students every day using local bus services, dedicated school buses and rail travel.
It can help parents and carers plan a safe route and find out which buses go near each school. If your child already attends school and you want to try a different way to get to school, it will show you how many calories you might burn if you walk or cycle.
The journey planner is available on our website and on web enabled mobile phones, along with real time travel information for both trains and buses.
Entitlement is based on certain criteria including the distance to the appropriate school, low income, attendance at a special school, and some medical reasons. For information on free school transport and assessment for all taxi transport to school (medical and SEN) please contact Passenger Transport (see p.17 for contact details).
Visit myjourneyhampshire.com/journeyplanner
“The bus has always been successful for us. It saves me rushing from work to try and find a parking space.” (Parent, Foxhills Infant and Junior)
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Walking to school Walking is an easy, free and healthy way for children to get to school with benefits for everyone. It helps support children’s health, the economy and the planet. The school journey is a perfect opportunity for children to learn about their local area, develop wider social networks, gain some independence and, as a result of walking, your child may perform better academically*.
5 good reasons to Walk to School 1.
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5. Kick start a healthy lifestyle
Most families live within 1.5 miles of their school and yet one in five cars during the morning peak time are doing the school run. By encouraging children to walk at least once a week, you will not only reduce congestion and pollution around the school gates but the school environment will also be safer. We aim to achieve this by working with schools and walking partner Living Streets, to encourage schools and their communities to leave the car at home when they can.
* Rauner, R, Walters, R, Avery M and Wanser, T (2013) Evidence that Aerobic Fitness Is More Salient than Weight Status in Predicting Standardized Math and Reading Outcomes in Fourth- through Eighth- Grade Students, The Journal of Pediatrics – 04 March 2013 (10.1013/j. jpeds.2013.01.006)
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Top tips for parents and children to get walking to school • Plan your route together in advance, finding quieter roads and paths wherever possible • Practice the journey at the weekend when the roads are likely to be quieter • Accompany your child for a few days. As they gain confidence, gradually reduce how far you go with them
Research carried out at the University of Texas confirms that, following physical activity, children show improved understanding, respond better to questions and complete learning tasks faster and more accurately
• Make sure they know how to deal with any busy junctions or roads. (Cross the road with a School Crossing Patrol Officer if possible) •Take part in the annual Walk to School events in May and October • If you live too far away, why not try Park and Stride? See page 12 • Encourage your school to become a Living Streets WoW school and Walk once a Week • Walk with a friend. Get dropped off at a friend’s house close to school and walk together.
By the end of 2015, 137 Hampshire schools will have taken part in Living Streets WoW
“It would be wonderful for WoW to extend to everyday and then our school would be wonderfully safe in the mornings and the afternoons.” Jon Le Fevre, Head Teacher, Netley Abbey Infant School
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Cycling
Bikeability
Currently only 3% of Hampshire school children cycle to school, which is largely because parents worry about traffic. However, by providing them with cycle skills and teaching them about road safety , children will be more able to enjoy the freedom of cycling.
Bikeability training is cycle proficiency for the 21st century. Hampshire County Council Road Safety team provides pupils with the opportunity to undertake Bikeability Level 2 and 3 cycle training.
Once your child is confident on their bike, getting them used to cycling on the roads will develop them in many ways. Not only will they gain a sense of independence and life skills, but they’ll also improve their health and fitness.
We also provide some basic bike skill courses (age 5-8) and Bikeability level 1 (age 8+). Funding for these courses is limited, so contact your school to Over 50 schools see if they are eligible. received free bike/ scooter storage in the last two years.
To support schools and families we work with our partners Sustrans and Road Safety to promote cycling through activities such as: • Bikeability training • Dr Bike • Bikers breakfast • Maintenance workshops • Curriculum activities For cycle to school safety advice visit: myjourneyhampshire.com/bike-it-sustrans
Scooter training
Scooter training is a fun and safe way to get to school as long as children are aware of a few basic road safety rules. Scooter training improves scooting skills, confidence and awareness of other pavement users. It is currently free to schools until March 2016. Visit myjourneyhampshire.com/scooter-training to find our top tips for scooting.
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Driving to school
For the safety of your child, their friends and the local community you have a responsibility to park safely, legally and considerately
Try ‘Park & Stride’ - park away from the school entrance and walk the last 5 or 10 minutes. Walking half a mile only takes between 8-17 minutes. Or why not put your child’s scooter in the car and scoot the rest of the way? Try a ‘Walking Bus’ - organise a small group of parents, carers or governors to share the walk to school and take it in turns with other parents to do the school run. You could even combine this idea with Park and Stride.
School zigzag markings are there to ensure clear sight lines for all road users, outside of schools. They create a clear and safer area to cross. There is a ‘No Stopping’ order placed on most zigzags, from 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday. If you stop or park on the markings during these times, you are likely to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70.
Parking Promise / Parkwise To reinforce these wise Pro rk rules in the school community, we run a campaign called Parking Promise, which builds on our Parkwise leaflet principles. More information at myjourneyhampshire.com/ parkwise-promise
se mi
Try ‘Kiss and Drop’ - when your child is old enough and more independent, consider parking away from the school and allowing your child to walk in alone or with a friend. Be sure to check the route first and talk it through with your child.
School Keep Clears
Pa
What can we do instead?
SCHOOL 5mins
Try ‘Car Sharing’ - if you have to drive to school, you could consider getting together with other parents who need to go by car and take it in turns to drive. Guidance on all the above initiatives is available on the My Journey website: myjourneyhampshire.com/if-you-need-drive
walk
TW E ET1
Parking enforcement
TWE ET1
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You could start by doing any of these just once or twice a week
To get in touch with your local Parking Enforcement team, please contact your district council. To contact the Police about a parking issue, either dial 101 or go online at www.police.uk
School zones We remind all drivers to slow down on the approaches to schools and look out vigilantly for small children. It can be difficult to see them, particularly when they are trying to cross the road between parked cars. Additionally, when a school crossing patrol steps into the road, be aware that ‘Stop means stop at the lollipop’. At school drop off and pick up times, avoid driving near the school gates and Park and Stride from somewhere a few minutes walk away. Congratulations to the winning designers of the “bin sticker” competition which encouraged drivers to slow down at St Bede CE Primary School in Winchester.
Most local councils in Hampshire have responsibility for the enforcement of certain on-street parking restrictions. The Police have a duty to enforce other traffic offences, which can result in penalty points being issued on your driving licence.
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Seat belt laws If you are driving your child and others to school, it is important that you understand the law on child seatbelts.
Front seat
Rear seat
Responsibility
Driver
Seat belt MUST be worn if available
Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in the taxi, then the child may travel unrestrained in the car.
Driver
Children under 3 years old
Correct child restraint MUST be used
Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in the taxi, then the child may travel unrestrained in the car.
Driver
Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday or 135cm in height
Correct child restraint MUST be used
Where seat belts fitted, correct child restraint MUST be used. MUST use adult belt if the correct child restrain is not available in three scenarios.
Driver
• In a licensed taxi or private vehicle hire vehicle
Streets Ahead The Streets Ahead Pedestrian Training Scheme is aimed at Year Two children and is led by volunteers from each school. The course involves three practical sessions, which includes using the Green Cross Code, what to wear and how to behave, keeping safe on the pavements as well as finding the safest route. A range of road safety resources for all ages is available to schools to borrow including role play sets, puzzle, books, posters, DVD and more all promoting key road safety messages. For road safety advice or how to volunteer for the Streets Ahead programme you can contact the Road Safety Team.
Junior Road Safety Officers The Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) scheme involves one Year Five and one Year Six pupil becoming JRSOs. They teach their peers about road safety through assemblies, having their own notice board and running competitions.
• For a short distance for a reason of unexpected necessity • Two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third. In addition, a child of 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.
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Child pedestrian training and road safety resources
Child over 1.35m or 12-13 years old
Seat belt MUST be worn if available
Seat belt MUST be worn if available.
Driver
Adult passengers (i.e. 14 years and over)
Seat belt MUST be worn if available
Seat belt MUST be worn if available.
Passenger
The JRSOs are trained at two annual events led by the Road Safety Team with the support of various partners. To find out if your school has JRSOs or how your school can get involved you can contact the Road Safety Team.
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School Travel Plans A School Travel Plan (STP) is developed by the whole school community to set out how the school will promote safer, active and sustainable travel to school, with the support of key stakeholders e.g. Hampshire County Council. The aim is to reduce the number of children being driven to and from school. However, Hampshire is a diverse county, and so this may not always be possible. A good travel plan will have involved all those affected by travel to and from the school including local residents. An effective school travel plan is an action plan to: • Reduce the number of vehicles on the journey to school • Encourage more active and sustainable travel choices • Improve safety on the journey to school. It increases the opportunities for pupils to exercise, reduces traffic and congestion around the school gate, and improves the local environment for the whole community. Ask at your school office to see a copy of your school’s travel plan or contact the county’s School Travel Planning Team.
Useful contacts at Hampshire County Council School Travel Planning Team • School Travel Plans • Living Streets’ Walk once a Week (WoW) • Walking Bus • Scooter training • Under 8’s cycle training • ParkWise/Parking Promise • Sustrans’ Bike It W: myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool E: schooltravelplans@hants.gov.uk T: 01962 845638 Road Safety Team • Bikeability Level 2 (Year 5-6) and Level 3 (Year 6 and up) • School Crossing Patrol service • Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) • Streets Ahead (child pedestrian training) • Walk to School Week W: hants.gov.uk/roadsafety E: road.safety@hants.gov.uk or T: 01962 846100 Passenger Transport - home to school transport Your child may be entitled to travel support or subsidy. Visit hants.gov.uk/traveltoschool/school-transport.htm for full details or contact the Passenger Transport Group for further information. • Mainstream - entitlements/arrangements (for pupils without a Statement of Special Education Needs) T: 01962 846924 or 01962 845332 • SEN - arrangements (for pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs) T: 01962 845327 W: hants.gov.uk/passengertransport.htm E: Passenger.transport.enquiries@hants.gov.uk
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Public Transport hants.gov.uk/passengertransport School Transport hants.gov.uk/traveltoschool/school-transport Journey planner myjourneyhampshire.com/journeyplanner Road safety Department for Transport – road safety think.direct.gov.uk/roadsafety.html Brake, road safety charity brake.org.uk Car seat information childcarseats.org.uk Cycle and walking training Bikeability dft.gov.uk/bikeability Living Streets walktoschool.org.uk My Journey cycle courses myjourneyhampshire.com/cycle Sustrans sustrans.org.uk/bikeit
This is a picture of my dream way of travelling to school
Hampshire County Council
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Useful websites
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Please complete entry details overleaf
Traveline traveline.info Bus companies and timetables hants.gov.uk/passengertransport National Rail Enquiries nationalrail.co.uk South West Trains southwesttrains.co.uk Southern southernrailway.com
Competition drawing
Public transport
Congratulations to last year’s winners Jack, Niamh, Blandine, Abhikshaa and our overall winner, Ava.
WIN!
Vouchers for attractions in Hampshire
Competition This is your chance to win one of five vouchers for one of Hampshire’s tourist attractions! Cut off this page, then draw a picture on the back showing “My dream way of travelling to school”. Ask your parent/carer to fill in these details: Name of child: Age of child:
Year group:
School attended: Name of parent: Home address: Email address: Then send your entry to the following address; School Travel Competition School Travel Planning Team, ETE Department Hampshire County Council, 2nd floor EII Court West Winchester SO23 8UD Alternatively, scan the picture and email it, including your contact details to schoolrun@hants.gov.uk Closing date is 30 September 2015. Sorry but we cannot return any pictures. Winners will be announced in October 2015. Visit our website myjourneyhampshire.com/terms to view terms and conditions.