This unit has several aspects to it, covering safety when walking to school. It includes safest places to cross i.e. pelican crossing, developing understanding of numbers, time, distance and space and ‘being aware’. It covers many walking possibilities such as walking on pavements, safest routes, crossing the road, walking through a car park, seasonal walking and visibility. Games help to develop skills in time and space.

Tip: Use your eyes and ears – never hurry or run into the road.

We cover all aspects of bus safety – getting to the stop on time, courtesy and queuing, manners on the bus, getting off the bus safely and danger blind spots around the bus. Don’t run across a road behind a bus!!!

Also parents – if you drop off your child by car at a bus stop, do so at least 9 metres away. Don’t compromise bus drivers’ vision.
Did you know – children are the least predictable pedestrians and the most difficult to see.

Children will be made aware of the importance of safety when in the car – wearing a seat belt, behaving and not distracting your parents, getting out on the pavement side. Games will help develop an awareness of traffic, road environment and evaluating dangers. Also dangers in a car park or ‘drop zones’.

Tip: Dept of Transport recommends children over 12 years or 135cm in height may use an adult seat belt, but also continue using booster seats until they are 150cm tall.

It is unlikely that young children cycle to school on our crowded roads – but some do, especially crossing parks, using cycle lanes or with parents. This unit will develop their primary understanding of the workings and maintenance of a bicycle e.g checking the bell, wearing high-vis clothing, are tyres pumped up? Cycling activity is healthy for both children and parents.

Legal Tip: Highway Code rule 66 – you should never cycle more than two abreast and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads.

This unit covers a child’s awareness, levels of concentration and responsibilities when getting to school by various means. It will help arm them with skills in observation, recognising and avoiding risky situations such as crossing a busy road, the dangers of using phones, tablets and other digital devices when walking. Also distracting parents when driving. A variety of games teach children how these distractions could be dangerous and to be aware.

Fact – there are now 32 million registered cars in the UK. That requires a lot of concentration and minimum distraction!

Children will learn how the environment impacts upon safety as seasons change. Travelling in snow requires different skills and clothing to that of dry and warm weather. Mindfulness teaches respect and courtesy to your friends and other travellers. Health impacts are also discussed – obesity through not walking enough, developing self-reliance skills. Teachers and parents are very much included in this section such as teaching children not to drop litter, how to exercise prior to school time oxygenates the brain and results in higher academic achievement.

Fact – Most UK children live within 20 mins walk to school, yet a third of those are driven to school.

When out and about children will learn to develop awareness and skills to recognise potential stranger encounters. How to never communicate with total strangers, to report any possible encounter to teachers and parents, what to do if approached by one and where to look for help e.g. lollipop lady, policeman, always walk with a friend. Teachers will role play in the classroom scenarios and difference situation. Parents are involved in minimising risks e.g. by picking and vetting safe routes to school, forming walk route groups.

Fact – 2014/4 police recorded 569 offences of child abductions, and increase of 11%over the previous year (Office for National Statistics)