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STP Initiatives - Schools

School Travel Plan Initiative

This page provides ideas and advice on what schools can do to supplement and promote their School Travel Plan.

 Walking Initiatives:

  • Walk to school campaign – especially in Coventry's Walk to School Week (June)
  • Walking bus – accompanied by parents on a rota basis
  • Provide bright or reflective clothing or armbands
  • School car-free day
  • "Walk the World" - measure set distances (for example around the playground) or length of walk to school and total up distances covered. Plot on large map and link to curriculum.
  • Leisure/healthy walks

Cycling Initiatives:

  • Secure cycle storage
  • Cycle training
  • Bright or reflective clothing or armbands
  • Cycle maintenance days – “Dr. Bike” sessions
  • Road safety training and education
  • Family cycle rides
  • Cycle security marking
  • Car users
  • "Park and stride” initiative, using a parking place some distance from the school

Car Sharing:

  • Car exclusion zone around school gates
  • Voluntary one-way system on the approach road to school
  • “Drivers’ Code of Practice” for parents
  • Promoting use of car seats / seatbelts

Public Transport:

  • Information and publicity on routes and timings
  • Bus behaviour codes
  • Explore new services, better routes and timings and fare promotions
  • Workshop on public transport for Year 6
  • Support available from Centro (contact Helen O'Sullivan for further details on 0121 214 7409 / HelenOSullivan@centro.org.uk)

Curriculum:

  • Geography – map work, safe route planning, sustainability
  • ICT/Maths – survey analysis
  • CDT – cycle storage designs
  • English/Literacy – school journey diaries, letter writing, publicity and promotional leaflets
  • PSHE – health, exercise, risk management and safety issues
  • Art – poster and leaflet designs and illustrations
  • Drama – short play about sustainable travel
  • Healthy Schools and Eco-school links

School Management Issues:

  • School Council involvement in drawing up Travel Plan
  • Access restrictions within school grounds
  • Separation of pedestrians, cyclists and cars on school premises
  • Provision of lockers, all-weather shelters, etc
  • Length of school day
  • Staff supervision of school buses

Involving Parents:

  • Travel Plan Working Group
  • Walking bus escorts
  • Exploring routes to school
  • Car sharing
  • Family cycle training
  • Family leisure walks and cycle rides

Publicity:

  • School newsletters
  • Corridor or classroom displays on sustainable travel
  • School prospectus and website
  • Assemblies
  • Induction day and parents’ evenings
  • Public transport and safe route information pack

Traffic Engineering and Highway Measures (Subject to Funding Criteria and Limits):

  • Improvements to walking and cycling routes to school
  • Parking provision for school buses
  • Safe crossings outside schools or on routes
  • Cycle lanes
  • Traffic calming
  • Speed limit changes

Contact Details

If you want more information on School Travel Plan initiatives, contact:

Martin Wilkinson and Sally Dewes
School Travel Plan Co-ordinator
Policy and Sustainable Transport Team
Floor 6, Civic Centre 4
Much Park Street
Coventry
CV1 2PY
Tel: (024) 7683 1184 (& 1372)
Fax: (024) 7683 2656
e-mail: martin.wilkinson@coventry.gov.uk and sally.dewes@coventry.gov.uk

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