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School Travel Plan

Thomas Hickman School Travel Policy

We actively encourage our BIRDS to walk, scoot or cycle to school as they:

  • keep us fit and healthy

  • help our pupils develop road safety skills which will keep them safe as they travel further afield and more independently

  • help keep our local air clean, and our streets free from congestion

  • are life skills that everyone should be able to benefit from

What We Do

  • We use Modeshift STARS to update and monitor our school travel plan

  • We promote safe and active travel as much as possible by using our noticeboards and displays, ensuring all travel news is on our newsletter and website at: https://www.thomashickmanschool.com/

  • We are taking part in WOW-the year-round walk to school challenge, where children input their journey to school each morning and earn WOW badges each month for being active.

  • We encourage all members of our THS community to walk, cycle or travel by public transport for the journey to school. To support this we provide:

o   Cycle training (Bikeability – dates TBD)

o   Pedestrian training (FootSteps initiative – dates TBD)

o   Cycle & Scooter parking

o   Public transport information – Park & Stride Zones

o   Balance Bike Training (as part of Nursery PE Curriculum)

  • Local school trips are made by public transport where possible, or on foot if the destination is close by

  • We let all new pupils and their parents/carers know that we promote healthy and sustainable travel to school before the child starts at our school

  • We have introduced THS Walking Warriors. The idea behind our Walking Warriors idea is to create voluntary car-free zones around schools, encouraging everyone who can to 'Get Active' on their journeys to and from school. The Walking Warriors will also encourage families that have to travel by car to park at least 5-minutes away from school (at one of our park & stride sites), creating a safer space for walking, cycling and scooting.

What We Ask Of Parents

  • Please encourage your child(ren) to walk, scoot or cycle to school whenever possible

  • Ensure your child(ren) walk or ride sensibly and safely on the way to and from school, and to push bikes and scooters on school grounds

  • Ensure that bicycles and scooters are roadworthy and properly maintained. If in doubt consult a qualified mechanic

  • Consider providing your child(ren) with a cycle helmet

  • Ensure your child(ren) can be seen by fitting lights to their bike or by supplying them with high-visibility clothing

  • Make sure your child(ren) has a lock for their bike or scooter and that they know how to use it

  • Ensure you have appropriate insurance cover for your child(ren)’s bicycle or scooter as the school is not liable for any loss or damage to cycles or scooters on the premises or being used on the way to or from school

  • If you travel by bus, can you get off the bus at least two stops early and walk the last part of the journey?

We understand that sometimes there is no alternative to driving to school.

  • Where a car must be used we ask parents to drive only part of the way, and drop their child(ren) off away from the school so that some of the journey can be walked or scooted

o   We have a 5 minute walking zone we ask parents to part outside of to create a safer and healthier environment for our BIRDS. https://www.thomashickmanschool.com/blog/2020/10/7/ths-walking-warriors

o   We have a confirmed park & stride site at Cotton Wheel Pub – to the left of Tesco Express.

  • If you do have to drive your child(ren)  and stop in the near vicinity please do so legally, safely and with respect for our neighbours and local residents

o   It is not acceptable to park or wait on double yellow lines, on the school zigzags, in the staff car-park entrance or across residential driveways for any period of time

Please note that the decision on whether a child is competent to cycle or scoot to school is for the parent(s) or carer(s) to make. The school has no liability for any consequences arising from this decision.

What We Ask Of Pupils

  • Ask your parents if you can walk, scoot or cycle to school

  • Behave in a way that shows you and the school in the best light whether walking, scooting, cycling or using public transport

  • Ride or walk courteously, sensibly and safely on the way to and from school

  • Push bikes and scooters on school grounds

  • Check that your bike or scooter is roadworthy and properly maintained

  • Consider wearing a cycle helmet

  • Make sure you can be seen by using lights in the dark or bad weather and by wearing high-visibility clothing

  • Make sure you have a lock for your bike or scooter and that you use it

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