School Travel Plan

General Info

Kilninver Primary is a small rural primary school. We have a roll of 26 pupils 2 of whom live within a mile radius of the building. The remaining pupils live a significant distance from the school and have to be transported to school either bus, private car or by Authority contract taxi. Due to our rural location and the busy nature of the main road in-front of the school it is not possible for any pupils to walk to school even if accompanied by an adult. All pupils have been supplied with and wear High Viz jackets when making any school related journeys.

The school is long established on the present site and is only used during normal school hours. There are plans for additional housing in the Kilmelford area.

Parents, pupils and teachers have been consulted about the travel arrangements concerning the school. They are aware of this plan and discuss the progress at both Parent Forum and Pupil Council meetings. No working party has been established at this time.

Associated Projects

Kilninver Primary is currently involved in a number of ongoing, long-term initiatives including:- Road Safety Training, Cycling Proficiency Training, the ‘Hungry for Success’ initiative and we are also engaged in ‘Improving our School Grounds’ Where appropriate the Travel plan will be integrated into these projects where there are common targets or sympathetic outcomes. For example during the Spring ‘Walk to School Week’ we encouraged pupils to be more active and to consider how they could be more active during their everyday lives.

How pupils currently travel to school

No who walk 0

No that could walk 0

No that come by car 10

No who have to come by car 10

No who come by bus 16

How staff currently travel to school

All staff currently travel to school independently by car.

Two staff do live in the same area and often share transport.

The following Key Issues and Travel Problems have been identified.

Problems of Infrastructure

· Pupils waiting at the Kilmelford bus stop have to wait beside a busy main road. The speed limit has been reduced to 40MPH at this point, but this is still a hazard.

· Most parents accompany their children to the bus stop and wait until the bus has left.

· On occasion, some children are unaccompanied.

· Most children live more than a mile from the pickup point in Kilmelford. As with the children who live closer to the school the roads between their homes and the bus stop is too dangerous to walk even if accompanied by an adult so their parents transport them to the bus stop by car.

· In the past local residents and some parents have expressed concern about pupils misbehaving at the bus stop. To ensure the safety of all involved, letters were sent to all pupils accessing the bus and the local police sent an officer to remind pupils that road safety is every-ones’ responsibility. This had a positive effect and so an officer will visit annually to give the pupils a gentle reminder.

The following steps are taken to ensure that our pupils are as safe as they can be

· We always follow the same routine when coming from and going to the bus.

· Pupils are familiar with the routine

· Staff know their role

· All staff and pupils wear High Viz Jackets

· A member of staff meets pupils at the bus stop & supervises they across the gap in the railings.

· No one crosses the gap if there is any traffic coming.

· At the end of the school day the bus people line up first.

· Children being collected by car or taxi wait in the playground ‘til the bus has gone.

· One member of staff supervises the gap in the railings

· Another member of staff accompanies the pupils to the bus & makes sure they have their seat belts on.

· Then the children being picked up by car are led out. A member of staff stands in the gap at the entrance to the car park until all pupils are in their vehicles. This ensures that no cars enter the carpark while children are walking around in the carpark.

· Flashing 20 MPH signs have been erected on the road in front of the school. They operate at 3 different times during the day

§ When children are arriving in the morning.

§ When Pre 5 children are leaving at lunchtime.

§ When children are leaving school at the end of the day.

· Lessons in kerbcraft are relevant to the area the children live in

· P1,2 &3 learn basic kerb skills in the housing area at Kilmelford.

· P4&5 learn to walk along the side of a busy main road that has no pavement.

· P6&7 learn how to walk safely on a quiet country road.

· P7 learn how to support and look after younger children around traffic

Proposed Initiatives

· We will participate in aspects of ‘National Walk to School Weeks if appropriate.

· We will continue to encourage parents to accompany their children to the bus stop.

· We will keep parents & the local community informed with regular information leaflets reporting on any developments.

· We will monitor and review the progress of the plan – How well are we doing with it? Are any aspects of it that need to be adapted due to a change in circumstance ?

· A sign will be erected in the School Carpark requesting that the public do not use it during school hours. This will reduce the need for parents to park in the bustop or on the road when picking up or letting children off.

This Travel Plan has been drawn up with the help & support of the pupils, Parents and staff of Kilninver Primary School.

 

Concerns have been raised about the number of drivers speeding when passing the school. The Parent Forum have successfully brought this issue to the attention of the Local Police and Roads Dept. Road signs have been repaired and the police are encouraging drivers to drive within the speed limit.