SCHOOL TRAVEL PLANS
School Travel Plans take off in Croydon
The deadline for submission of School Travel Plans in 2005 to the local authority was the end of March, and Croydon schools have done amazingly well in terms of numbers of schools submitting and the high quality of the plans received.
Twenty six primary schools and six secondary schools have been involved in the submission of travel plans. Including one special school, Bensham Manor, whose travel plan focuses on independent travel training for the young people who attend there, as well as containing some very creative actions linked to interschool working / projects and art. This is very exciting as it is possibly only the third special school in the whole of
Some primary schools on the same sites have worked jointly which means in total 28 travel plans (from 32 schools) have been forwarded to TfL. The schools are as follows:
St Marys High school
Norbury Manor
Bensham Manor
All Saints Infants
All Saints Juniors
Ashburton Infants
Ashburton Juniors
Broadmead Infants and Nursery
Broadmead Juniors
Davidson Primary
Greenvale Primary
Kensington Infants
Kensington Juniors
Keston Primary
Oval Primary
Selsdon Primary
St James the Great
St Josephs Infants
St Josephs Junior
Wattenden Primary School
Wolsey Junior school
Woodside Junior school
In developing their plans the schools have analysed their key travel issues and the barriers that exist to greater use of more sustainable forms of transport such as walking, cycling, public transport and car-sharing. Current travel patterns can vary greatly. For example the percentage of children walking ranged from 12% up to 80% - averaging 49%. Amongst the plans submitted so far schools have identified over 20 ways to encourage more walking and cycling.
Beyond direct benefits to health, well-being and safety, the development of an STP complements other environmental initiatives within schools and can count towards the attainment of and be recognised within healthy schools status, eco-schools and the London Schools Environment Award. The process can also be a means to strengthening democracy and consultation within the school community. Developing a STP offers the ideal opportunity to engage with pupils, parents, staff, governors, school councils and working groups. The STP process can therefore act as a template for the school?s development in other areas.
Schools registering to produce an STP will receive a comprehensive resource pack containing standard forms and templates, background material and curriculum resources. The STP advisor is available to support schools through the process individually, and through complementary initiatives such as Walk to School Weeks, Car Free Day and TfL?s Good Going Campaign. We have a range of other resources available FREE to schools including a great selection for the forthcoming Walk to School Week in May.
For more information contact the School Travel Advisor, Lindsey Coates, Lindsey.coates@croydon.gov.uk 0208 686 4433, extension 62208.
What is a School Travel Plan ?
*The Problem: Increased car journeys on the school run as levels of perceived danger rise
*A School Travel Plan sets out how this problem will be tackled and provides a framework within which individual schools address their specific concerns
What is a School Travel Plan?
At its most basic:
*A policy statement
*Baseline assessment
*Action plan for the future
AIM: Bring about a change in home to school travel patterns to cut congestion and pollution and allow pupils to take regular exercise. To do this in a a safe environment
What should the plan contain?
*Where are we coming from?
*Where are we going?
*How will we get there?
*How far have we come?
*Current situation at the school
*Aims, Objectives and targets Action Plan
*Monitoring and review
Lindsey Coates, Croydon School Travel Advisor , gave a presentation at the Chairs Forum on 7th July ( previously given to Primary Heads on 16th June) with all the relevant information regarding writing a School travel Plan and outlined the funding that is available. Contact her : Lindsey_coates@croydon.gov.uk
This information relating to grants, what a travel plan should contain and copy of her presentation in both word and power point are available as downloads at the bottom of this page.
