Walk to School

Walking bus sign-up

Our Walking Bus is launching on Monday 11th September and will run daily from Penwarden Way down Delling Lane to the school. Adult volunteers will escort the column of children wearing hi-vis tabards along the set route. This video shows a walking bus in action: https://youtu.be/izAgpgYHiUU

Click here to sign up now or read on for further info.

 

What’s the route?

Drop off is the grass behind the bus stop on Penwarden Way (just along from the White Swan) between 8.15 and 8.20am. The walking bus will then travel down Delling Lane, Green Lane and School Lane to arrive at the school gates at 8.40. 
 

Who can join in?

The walking bus is open to all years: Reception to Year 6. Parents should use their judgment to determine if little ones will be comfortably able to participate. Year 6 are welcome to join but may prefer to walk themselves or with friends. There is plenty of parking on Penwarden Way if you’re coming from further afield and wish for your child to ‘park and stride’. Buses from both directions arrive in perfect time to join the walking bus.

 

What is the adult to child ratio?

The ratio of adult volunteers to accompanied children is as follows: 1:4 (Reception & KS1) and 1:8 (KS2). There will be a minimum of two volunteers each day.

 

Why should I use the Walking Bus?

  • Increased alertness and concentration in school
  • Development of pedestrian and social skills
  • Time savings in the mornings
  • Reduced traffic congestion around school
  • Less use of the car for short trips
  • Healthy exercise for you and your child/ren

 

Sign up here

Use this simple Google Form to register your child. A separate form must be completed for each child.

Cars Idling

Please remember to not leave your car idling on Walton Lane during drop off or pick up as a local resident has again brought this to our attention.

 

If you would like your child to walk to and from school on their own please consider the following things and read our policy below. We allow pupils in year 6 to do this and some year 5 pupils to do this in the summer term.

 

Parents / guardians are encouraged to teach children to[la1] :

  • Pay attention to traffic at all times when crossing the street; never become distracted.

  • Always cross at the intersection where there are traffic lights; do not cross in the middle of the road.

  • Alternatively, cross in a place where you can see clearly in all directions. Avoid parked cards or bends in the road.

  • Look both ways before crossing; listen for traffic coming; cross while keeping an eye on traffic.

  • Look out for cyclists.

  • Remember that drivers may not see them, even if they can see the driver.

  • Remember that it is hard to judge the speed of a car so be cautious.

  • Never, ever, follow someone who is either a stranger or someone they know but is not a designated "safe" adult. Speak to your child about what they should do if this should ever happen.

 

When deciding whether a child is ready for this responsibility, parents/guardians might want to consider the following:

  1. Do you trust them to walk straight home?

  1. Do you trust them to behave sensibly when with a friend?

  1. Are they road safety aware?

  1. Would they know what to do if a stranger approaches them?

  1. Would they have the confidence to refuse to do what a stranger asked?

  1. Would they know the best action to take if a stranger tried to make them do something they did not want to do?

  1. Would they know what to do if they needed help?

  1. Would they know whom best to approach to get help?


 [la1]Is there a reference for this i.e. website etc..