We’re giving primary school children the chance to gain the tools and confidence that they need to help keep themselves safe once they are ready to take the next step and begin walking to school on their own.
From this month Devon primary schools are being offered the chance to sign up to a free two-hour Walkability (Child Pedestrian Training) course.
The course is co-designed by teachers and is initially available for children in years 3, 4, 5 and 6. It’s being delivered by Active Devon on our behalf and funded by Vision Zero South West.
The most recent course took place on Friday (September 20) at St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy in Exeter.
Children took part in a practical session and learned a range of road safety rules and essentials such as understanding road signs and their meanings, the Green Cross Code, navigating road crossings, identifying safe routes to cross and the importance of always staying vigilant and aware.
The children were joined by Councillor Stuart Hughes, our Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Colin Savage, our Safer Travel Officer and Councillor Carol Whitton, the Chair of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC).
Councillor Hughes, who is also Vice Chair of Vision Zero Southwest, a partnership with the police that is working to reduce collisions on the road, said:
“This fantastic course is being offered to school children aged between 7 and 11, the age when many parents are starting to share knowledge on road safety awareness, before considering allowing their children to travel to school independently.
“It integrates classroom learning with real-world experiences, giving children the tools to help them navigate their surroundings confidently and safely.
“It’s been designed in such a way that support can be offered to a school when it is most needed, and it is available free to all primary schools across the Devon County Council area.”
Councillor Carol Whitton, the local member for Heavitree and Whipton and Chair of HATOC said:
“I’m so pleased that schools are being offered this free course, and I would encourage schools to sign up as soon as they can.
“It’s important for children to be active and part of that is walking to school as it means that they are alert and ready to learn when lessons begin.
“This course will help ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe when they are ready to begin to walk to school independently.”
Karen Leach, the Headteacher of St Michael’s CofE Primary Academy, said:
“Having regularly worked closely with Active Devon every child has the opportunity to undertake Bikeability and learn how to safely use roads on their bikes.
“Walkability will educate the children to be more aware of not just how they can be safe as the negotiate local streets but also make them aware of other pedestrians and also road users. Walkability skills will be life lessons that will enable children to be proactive, safe citizens in the future.”
Louise Marshall from Active Devon said:
“Many of us remember learning about the Green Cross Code when we were at school and this programme delivers practical advice, through different scenarios and training, to enable children to feel more confident when in and around traffic, and where possible, on that walk to and from the school gates.”
Once the school has booked the training course parents will receive letters outlining details of the Walkability training.
After completion of the two-hour training each child will take home a booklet sharing what has been taught to enable parents to continue the learning experience at home.
The programme is being offered to schools from September. Schools interested in the training should complete a form. The form, along with more information can be on the website here: Introducing Devon’s Walkability Child Pedestrian Training Programme.