Road safety for primary schools and voluntary groups

There are a series of practical steps to improve children's safety on the roads.

• Let's Walk (for Years 3/4)
  Let's Walk is a child pedestrian training programme for Year 3 and 4 pupils. The programme aims to increase children's knowledge and understanding through practical experience and training and to prepare them to become independent road users. We hope this will in turn encourage parents to walk to school with their children and therefore reduce traffic and congestion at the school gate.
  For further information on Let's Walk contact Gill Shaw on (01244 973601) or email: roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk .
  
• Let's Bike (for Years 5/6)

Let’s Bike is similar to Level One of Bikeability, a national scheme.

Let's Bike is an off-road cycle training course offered to Year 5 and 6 pupils. The course takes place on the school playground and is run by volunteer instructors from the school that are fully trained and supported by the Road Safety Unit.

During the course, pupils are taught a number of basic cycling skills and manoeuvres in preparation for future on-road riding.

Practical training is complemented by a theory element that can either be done in the classroom or as a homework activity and a range of free materials are available to support this. The course is extremely flexible and the timing can be organised to suit the school and the volunteer instructors. However, volunteers must be able to commit to attending the 1 day instructor's course and a minimum of 6 hours back at school to train the pupils.

For further information on Let's Bike contact: roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

• Junior Road Safety and Watch Officers (for Primary School) A scheme involving Y6 children (usually 2 plus adult 'buddy') being appointed as road safety officers for their school. Their job is to promote road safety messages to their fellow pupils through reading out monthly bulletins, keeping a notice board and running competitions. JRSO’s receive a guide full of supporting information, a badge and continued support and contact from the Road Safety Unit. 
• Resource Information
  Details about road safety resources and how to get hold of them.
• Voluntary Groups
  Road safety activities for out-of-school groups. 
• For further information on above, contact Gill Shaw on (01244 973601) or email: roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk .
  
• School Crossing Patrols
  We provide School Crossing Patrols to help unaccompanied Primary School-aged children cross busy roads on their way to and from school. We adhere to the nationally agreed criterion that there must be at least 15 unaccompanied children crossing each morning and afternoon in order to qualify for a patrol. Traffic flows and speeds are measured and local circumstances are assessed before a patrol can be provided. For further information, call:01244 973027.