School Travel Plans

The chosen travel mode for a child's journey to school is widely recognised and reported as having an influence on a child's safety, their health, wellbeing and personal development as well as an impact on the environment in which we live and work. Local Authorities have been empowered by the Government to assist schools in developing School Travel Plans to help improve safety, reduce pollution and reduce road traffic.

Why do we need a Travel Plan?

In 1986 children (5-16 yrs) made 60% of their school journeys on foot and only 16% by car.

Now almost 1 in 5 car trips in the morning are taking children to school.

Sometimes, there is no acceptable alternative but to travel the journey by car, but many children are being driven short distances to and from school when they could easily walk or cycle.

What is a School Travel Plan?

A school travel plan is a document owned by the school which outlines a number of practical initiatives aiming to reduce unnecessary car trips to and from the school building. It can also include proposals for physical improvements and facilities to make the journey feel safer and more pleasant for those on foot or bicycle such as 'Safer Routes to School' schemes. A travel plan will:

• Be a whole school initiative and involves children, staff, parents, Governors and the wider community.
• Enable parents and children to choose alternatives to the car including walking, cycling and public transport with confidence, to help reduce congestion at the school gate.
• Address health, safety, environment, education and other issues relating to sustainable transport.
• Have clear aims, objectives, timeplan and targets.
• Be evaluated annually against those targets.
• Support 'Healthy School' status, Eco-Schools and 'Every Child Matters'.

By developing a school travel plan, the school demonstrates a commitment to promoting a safer and more attractive school environment.

What help is available to schools?

The School Travel Team can provide advice, suggetsions, support and assistance to schools wishing to complete a School Travel Plan. Schools with approved travel plans are eligible for a capital grant funded by the DfES, to be spent on improving travel facilities on the school site. 

Grants Available Primary schools receive £3750 + £5 per pupil; secondary and middle schools receive £5000 + £5 per pupil. VA schools are also eligible for 90% of the grant.

Deadlines  The next deadine is 31st March 2009, when plans approved and submitted will receive their grant payment in July of that year.

For more information on grants available and the travel plan process please download the 'Footnotes' newsletter:
                                                  footnotes spring 2006
                                                  footnotes summer 2006

 To get started on a School Travel Plan click here to log onto our intranet site

For further information on school travel plans and the journey to school contact:

The School Travel and School Crossings Team

School Travel and School Crossings Team Manager - Louise Clayton

Tel: 01785 276513  -  07855 336910
E-mail: louise.clayton@staffordshire.gov.uk

School Travel Advisor (North) - Cath Jenkinson

Tel: 01785 854036  -  07855 336944
E-mail: catherine.jenkinson@staffordshire.gov.uk

School Travel Advisor (South) - Angela Cooper-Adams

Tel: 01785 854036  -  07855 336982

Email: angela.cooper-adams@staffordshire.gov.uk

 

 

Last Modified: 09/05/2008 13:48:34
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