Oxford Gardens Primary School - Winner
Oxford Gardens Primary School has invested significantly in improving facilities for all pupils and staff. The school takes pride in: Covered cycle parking for pupils and staff for ten bicycles; scooter racks to cater for 40 scooters; new secure gated entrance with CCTV and intercom system; newly-built school office in line with main entrance to enhance site security; a storage locker for every member of staff; staff showering and changing facilities; the employment of Bike/Scooter Park Attendants through the Meaningful Work Programme to manage storage effectively and enhance security; breakfast club run by the Play Centre; Play Centre available for pupils after school.
Special Projects include “Scooter Scoop”, a scheme to tackle falling pupil attendance; a parking enforcement campaign to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking directly outside the school during morning drop-off and afternoon collection times; active pupil involvement in the monitoring and delivering of the new School Travel Plan, to promote engagement. Further initiatives include: Cycle training for Years 3 – 6; theatre in Education visits for Years 3 – 6; participation in MET Police Junior Citizen Event; walk Once a Week incentive scheme using a classroom trophy; bi-annual participation in Walk to School Weeks including special healthy breakfast, and more.
Since 2005 the school has reduced the number of pupils travelling to school by car from 20% (2006) to 16% (2009). Cycling to school has also increased (3%, 2005 to 8%, 2009) and scooting too (0.25%, 2005 to 14%, 2009). This has been achieved while maintaining walking to school at more than 50%.
The German School London Ass.
Road safety education and sustainable travel have always been high on the agenda of the German School London. For years the school has committed to improving sustainability with School Travel Plans and an accreditation scheme, which won Bronze in the London Sustainable Travel Accreditation Award. The school will be applying for gold accreditation. The German School London is also a registered Eco School and is also taking part in the Guardian’s 10:10 initiative.
Their School Travel Plan has resulted in a good shift from car use towards public transport or car share. Various projects take place throughout the school year on a regular basis. They include: Year 1 Pedestrian Skill Training “Street Feet”; Year 2 Pedestrian Skill Training; Year 3- 4 Theatre “What if it rains?”; Year 4 Big WoW Day; Year 4-5 Bicycle Training; Year 5 Junior Citizenship Programme; Year 6 Theatre “The Prize”; Year 7 Bicycle Maintenance; Year 10 Arrive Alive. Additionally the Richmond and Petersham Safer Neighbourhood Team comes to school four times a year in order to do bike markings, and the Students Board is involved in bicycle maintenance for younger students.
St Philomena’s CP School
St Philomena’s CP School is situated in the middle of several main roads, with fast-moving traffic and much congestion. Many children, and their parents, are keen to ride their bikes to and from school but often face many obstacles. The school has strived to improve conditions and has implemented a variety of schemes to improve safety and security such as: Level 1 and Level 2 Cycle Proficiency Training; a cycle proficiency training pilot for adults; fantastic Cycle Storage facilities; a Slogan Competition (the winning slogan was put onto a plaque and was placed up in the bike sheds: “Keep Wheely Fit – Go on and Bike it!”).
The school also forged links with a local bike shop and run “Bike Surgeries” with “First Aid for Bikes” during the school lunchtime. They also provided discount vouchers to have bike safety checks in the shop–especially before proficiency training days. Security gates and barriers were installed all around the school to prevent theft. Visitors have to be allowed access by staff and cyclists have been advised to bring their own locks too. These measures were later reinforced with a bike marking project involving the help of the local community police.
The school has recently been awarded funding (£1000) to purchase a pool of bikes, helmets and locks. Through sheer determination and perseverance, the amount of children cycling is again steadily increasing and the school is determined to convince more pupils to "Get on their bikes!"
