Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Association

by Ann Smith, Deputy Headteacher, Sandal Magna J & I School

After achieving Healthy School Status at Sandal Magna Junior and Infant School we decided as one of our further targets to set up a Walking Bus to encourage a healthier lifestyle amongst our pupils, to support our teaching of road safety and to reduce the traffic congestion problems outside the school.

All the pupils in school mapped where their homes were located, and we then decided on the route our Walking Bus would follow. We drew up our Travel Plan, and presented it to the Wakefield Road Safety team who have supported us in all aspects of setting up the Walking Bus.

We asked the Agbrigg and Belle Vue Community Centre for use of their car park as a meeting place, but instead they offered us the use of their indoor facilities, which makes an ideal meeting place. The “bus” sets off at 8:35am each morning escorted by two of the school's teaching assistants, with all pupils and adults wearing distinctive fluorescent tabards.

The Walking Bus began on Tuesday 22nd February, and was met at school by Kylie the Road Safety kangaroo, who then presented prizes to 40 pupils who had taken part and won in our Road Safety activities during February. Participating parents and pupils are enthusiastic about the “Bus” and the numbers are increasing after only three days!!

Kylie the Road Safety Kangaroo, and the children of the walking “school bus” at Sandal Magna J & I School