Sustainable Modes of School Travel Strategy 2015 -2020 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.10. Post 16 Transport Policy Statement...... 4 1.17. School Travel Plans ...... 5 2. NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLICY ...... 5 2.1. National Policy...... 6 2.10. Local Policy ...... 7 3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 8 3.1. Aim ...... 9 3.3. Objectives...... 9 4. BASELINE DATA - National and Local...... 10 4.1. In order to understand the needs of transport for education establishments we need to understand what the current trends are regarding school travel...... 10 4.2. Nationally...... 10 4.11. Locally ...... 11 4.20. Mode of travel to school...... 12 6. TARGETS...... 15 6.4. Modal Shift ...... 16 6.7. Air quality...... 16 6.9. Casualty Reduction ...... 17 6.11. School Travel Plans ...... 17 7. WORKING WITH SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL TRAVEL ...... 17 7.1. Helping Schools produce Travel Plans. The resource is focused currently on expanding Schools where Travel Plans are part of the planning process...... 18 7.7. Support package to schools ...... 19 10. PARTNERSHIPS ...... 24
1. INTRODUCTION
2 1.1. The Government published the Education and Inspection Act in 2006. The Act improved and extended the right to free home to school transport to pupils from low income families; as part of the Government’s aim of ensuring that every child in every school in every community gets the education they need to enable them to achieve their full potential. The latest government guidance regarding the act published in July 2014 has been used in the development of this strategy.
1.2. The Act places a number of duties on local authorities including duties to:
Promote choice of schools Promote high standards The fulfilment of every child’s educational potential.
1.3. The local authority’s duty to promote choice will be facilitated through the provision of travel and transport arrangements as well as the promotion of sustainable modes of travel and transport for journeys to, from and between schools, colleges and training facilities.
1.4. The promotion of sustainable modes of travel and transport covers journeys at the start and end of the day (this includes pre and after school clubs and activities), to and from the place of education and training and in additional includes journeys during the day between institutions. This may cover travel to independent schools, further education colleges or any other institution providing education and training.
1.5. The promotion of sustainable travel and transport is aimed at school aged children and young people of 6th form age, including those pupils who are resident and receive education and training within the local authority area or who live outside of the area but travel within that local authority’s area to receive education or training.
1.6. Sustainable modes of transport are defined in the Act as walking, cycling, using public transport or car sharing. However, a sustainable mode of transport can be any mode that improves the physical well- being of those who use such modes of transport, and are beneficial to the environment due to a reduced level of congestion and pollution.
1.7. There are five main elements to the duty which local authorities must undertake:
an assessment of the travel and transport needs of children, and young people within the authority’s area;
an audit of the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority’s area that may be used when travelling to and from, or between schools/institutions;
3 a strategy to develop the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority so that the travel and transport needs of children and young people are best catered for;
the promotion of sustainable travel and transport modes on the journey to, from, and between schools and other institutions; and
the publication of a Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy (this document).
1.8. This document will set out what has been undertaken and what has been achieved to promote sustainable modes of school travel and what work will be undertaken in the years to come to ensure that the main elements of the duty are met.
1.9. Under the Education and Skills Act 2008, from June 2015, there is a requirement for young people to stay in education or training until their 18th birthday. To support the higher participation age local authorities have responsibility for promoting the effective participation in education and training of young people who are subject to the duty to participate.
1.10. Post 16 Transport Policy Statement
1.11. Under the 16 – 18 Transport Duty the Council is to: Ensure learners of 6th form age are able to access the education of their choice. To ensure that if support for access is required this will be assessed and provided where necessary. As part of this the Council will provide an annual Transport Policy Statement to detail transport arraignments and financial assistance the authority provide. This will be a separate document and will meet the following requirements:
1.12. In the statement the local authority will not differentiate between providers or institutions in its arrangements. Arrangements will provide for learners of sixth form age who are engaged in learning or training at: a school a further education institution an authority maintained or assisted institution providing higher or further education an establishment funded directly by the Education Funding Agency, for example independent specialist providers for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities a learning provider that is funded by the local authority to deliver accredited programmes of learning which lead to a positive outcome (this could include colleges, charities and private learning providers).
4 1.13. Arrangements to support learners undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships will also be set out in the statement. These may include the costs of travelling to or from the place of learning or work placement. Employers and learning providers will want to take account of young people’s likely transport arrangements when planning off-the- job training, particularly outside normal working hours.
1.14. The transport policy statement will also specify confirmed arrangements proposed by the governing bodies of schools and further education colleges which may include support with transport costs or transport provision. Governing bodies are under a duty to co- operate in giving the local authority any information and other assistance that is reasonably required by the authority to enable them to prepare their statement.
1.15. The needs of young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities will be specifically considered and the arrangements in place for each group will be documented in the transport policy statement
1.16. In the statement we will also consider the needs of: those who are vulnerable to becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET) at the age of 16 or 17 or who have already become NEET; these young people will be offered a suitable course of education or training and provided with support that is necessary with transport to enable them to participate. young parents – Care to Learn (C2L) can help pay for childcare and travel costs for learners aged 19 and under at the start of their course. Learning providers will be encouraged to support young people to apply for C2L – further details are available at www.gov.uk/care-to-learn those who live in particularly rural areas where the transport infrastructure can be more limited.
1.17. School Travel Plans 1.18. School travel plans are a means to integrate transport, education, health and other policies by encouraging pupils to walk, cycle or use public transport on the school journey, reducing the number of car journeys to and from school. A school travel plan contains information about the way pupils travel to and from school, targets and an action plan. There are clear opportunities for them to support not only schools but the wider community by encouraging more cycling and walking and providing safer routes. They are a key element of delivering the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority so that the travel and transport needs of children and young people are catered for. They are also an important process for delivering active travel and transport infrastructure with regards to
5 schools. They therefore form a major aspect of the delivery of the Sustainable Modes of School Travel Strategy.
2. NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLICY
2.1. National Policy
2.2. National drivers for the Strategy include:
2.3. Department for Education & Skills – Education & Inspections Act (2006) The Education and Inspections Act places an extended duty on local authorities to provide free transport for the most disadvantaged families. A further general duty is placed on Local Authorities to promote the use of sustainable travel & transport to and from places of education including pre and after school clubs and journeys between institutions during the day.
2.4. Education and Skills Act 2008 The Education and Skills Act increased the minimum age at which a person can leave education or training to eighteen for those born after 1 September 1997. The Act also introduced a number of other changes including the right of choice and appeal for young people regarding their sixth form college, and placing duties on the Learning and Skills Council regarding payment and finance of courses for both children and adults. The provision of transport and the promotion of sustainable transport use is expanded to include these students.
2.5. School Information (England) Regulation (2002) which requires the publication of the Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy document by the 21st August each year.
2.6. Equalities Act 2010 Local Authorities need to ensure that their transport polices do not unlawfully discriminate in relation to protected characteristics or contravene the Human Rights Act and also that they comply with the Statutory School Transport Guidance This makes clear, for example, that the same provision for transport should be made to enable the child of non-religious parents to attend a maintained school if the parent feels that this is important in view of his own belief system, as is made to enable the child of religious parents to attend a faith school which is not the nearest to their home.
2.7. Strategic Framework for Road Safety 2011 has a target of a 40% Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) reduction by 2020. Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership have signed up to this target in Towards 2020 Greater Manchester Plan for Road Safety The Killed and Seriously Injured casualties in Greater Manchester (GM) has shown a decrease of 6% when compared to 2012. In GM KSI casualties were 28% below the base (2005-2009 KSI average) and are forecasted to meet a reduction of 40% in KSI’s by 2020.
6 2.8. Promoting physical activity for children and young people, NICE guidelines [PH17] Published date: January 2009 (reiterated in NICE Guidance 7 [NG7] Maintaining a healthy weight and preventing excess weight gain among adults and children, March 2015)
PH17 Recommendation 5 ‘Local transport plans’ (for children and young people aged 18 and under, their families and carers) recommends: Ensuring local transport and school travel plans continue to be fully aligned with other local authority plans which may impact on children and young people's physical activity. Ensuring local transport plans acknowledge any potential impact on opportunities for children and young people to be physically active. Transport plans should aim to increase the number of children and young people who regularly walk, cycle and use other modes of physically active travel. Continuing work with schools to develop, implement and promote school travel plans. 2.9. Additionally, recommendation 12 ‘Active and sustainable school travel plans’ (for children and young people aged 18 and under who travel to: pre-school or an early years facility; school or college; or local, out-of- school activities) recommends: Continuing to encourage a culture of physically active travel (such as walking or cycling). Developing a school travel plan which has physical activity as a key aim, in line with existing guidance. Ensuring schools provide suitable cycle and road safety training for all pupils. Encouraging children and young people, especially those who live within a 2-mile radius of their school or other community facilities, to walk, cycle or use another mode of physically active travel to get there. Working with local authorities to map safe routes to school. Involving children and young people, their parents and carers, the local community and external agencies in implementing the school travel plan
2.10. Local Policy
2.11. Local drivers for the Strategy include:
2.12. Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan The Local Plan supports the development of School Travel Plans to encourage travel change and to continue to deliver sustainable transport initiatives in schools and further education establishments, including: training, initiatives and promotion, assistance to improve facilities, improved infrastructure (routes to schools) and to promote and encourage local or community ownership of routes.
7 2.13. 2015-16 Council Plan The Council plan includes the following aims: Support and improve residents’ education Provide travel for eligible Special Educational Need pupils and support young people to travel independently [to relevant educational opportunities].
2.14. Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan (GM AQAP) In 2006, the Greater Manchester Local Authorities produced a co- ordinated Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan. This was updated in the Local Transport Plan 3.The objectives of the strategy are: To meet statutory limits for nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution levels in all areas of Greater Manchester for 2015 and 2020. To mitigate or minimise further negative impacts on air quality due to economic growth in the conurbation To aim for more ambitious reduction targets to 2020 and 2030 that are commensurate with Greater Manchester’s aspiration for a low carbon economy.
2.15. Promoting a shift towards sustainable modes of travel and promoting the use of low emissions technologies and practices is one way the Greater Manchester Authorities are working to meet these air quality objectives. There is a specific action within the plan: Planning policies for accessibility and sustainable transport. This would include implementing School Travel Plans as one of the means to achieve this objective. This strategy is currently being reviewed and new targets are being set with the main focus, of the strategy, will be on emissions. It is expected that Education Establishments will remain a focus for modal shift.
2.16. Free School Transport Policy 2015/16 Academic Year - Some children qualify for free travel passes this policy clarifies who is able to access these.
2.17. Post 16 Transport Policy 2015/16 Transport policy statement for students aged16-18 in further education and continuing students aged 19 and over.
2.18. Special Educational Needs (SEN) School Travel Policy & Guidelines for 5-16 year olds. This policy only relates to the provision of support for children/young persons of statutory school age (5 to 16 years) with a statement of educational need and/or a complex medical/physical disability. The travel support arrangements for persons of sixth form age receiving education and training are published separately each academic year in the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement.
8 3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The following sets out the aims & objectives which will be achieved through the Sustainable Mode of School Travel Strategy.
3.1. Aim 3.2. By increasing awareness of sustainable modes of travel to school and other places of education and training it is hoped that this will bring about a lifestyle change for pupils, parents, teachers and the community as a whole and encourage more people of walk, cycle, use public transport or car share. This will help the local environment by reducing congestion and pollution as well as improving the health and safety of those using sustainable modes of transport.
3.3. Objectives 3.4. The objectives of this strategy are grouped under a number of headings as follows:
Accessibility To improve accessibility to educational establishments and activities. Increase travel choice availability and flexibility for primary, secondary and 16 to 19 year old students. Address the changing way in which education is delivered, including pre and after school clubs, and extended school hours and post 16 education. Meet the needs of all children including those whose families are on benefit, families with English as a second language, families who do not have access to private transport, families with members who have disabilities which effect transport options and families based in rural areas. Provide training for pupils with disabilities to encourage independent travel.
Safety Improving road safety by provide an appropriate level of road safety and cycle training. Continue to implement infrastructure and design measures to improve road safety, especially around schools. Address and prevent anti-social behaviour linked to transportation.
Health Promote and encourage physically active and sustainable modes of travel such as walking and cycling.
Environment
9 Promote the use of sustainable transport modes to help reduce congestion and improve local air quality within the environment.
Education Link school travel plans and sustainable transport to the school curriculum to promote good habits later in life. Educate and inform parents, child and teachers about sustainable transport options and safety issues. Consult and work with pupils in the development and implementation of their School Travel Plan.
4. BASELINE DATA - National and Local
4.1. In order to understand the needs of transport for education establishments we need to understand what the current trends are regarding school travel.
4.2. Nationally
4.3. Between 1983 and 2003 the number of children travelling to school by car doubled despite many children living close enough to school to walk. One in five cars on the road in urban areas at the morning peak (of ten minutes to nine) is taking children to school, leading to localised congestion, increased air pollution, a rise in the number of children injured in road traffic accidents, and a reduction in health and fitness.
4.4. There are many reasons for the increasing use of the car on schools journeys. Parents may have perceived worries about safety and dangers presented to children when walking and cycling to school. The school journey increasingly forms part of the parent’s journey to work. The schools’ wider catchment areas and greater parental choice has extended the distance from home to school.
4.5. On average, a person made 112 education trips, travelling 333 miles, in 2013. The average education trip length has increased by 23% since 1995/97, meaning people are travelling further for education than they used to. As a result the average duration of trips for education purposes has increased by 26% to 19 minutes, in 2013.
4.6. The most common modes of transport for education trips were by car (42%) and walking (40%). A further 12% of education trips were made by local bus. (National Travel Survey 2013)
4.7. Looking specifically at how children (aged 5-16) travel to/from school, the most common mode of transport changes to walking with 42% of trips – the proportion of trips made by car drops to 34%, largely because adult car drivers escorting children are not included. Since 1995/97, the proportion of trips where children walked to school has fallen from 47% to 42%, in 2013. Over the same time period the
10 proportion of trips made by car has increased from 30% to 34% - the average distance travelled for education purposes has increased by 31% to 2.7 miles, suggesting that as education trips get longer, more children are travelling to school by car, rather than walking. (National Travel Survey 2013).
4.8. According to the Physical activity among children Health Survey for England 2012 around two in ten children aged 5-15 years meet the government recommendations for physical activity (boys 21%, girls 16%). Further, around four in ten children aged 5-15 years are physically inactive (boys 39%, girls 45%)
4.9. Proportion of children who spent six or more hours being sedentary per day by age group.
(Data from the Health Survey for England report, 2012, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13218/HSE2012-Ch3-Phys-act- child.pdf)
4.10. The increase in sedentary behaviour on week days for older children could be correlated partially to the increased distance from home to Secondary Schools leading to more sedentary forms of transport. This indicates that there is a growing need to encourage school travel by sustainable modes to address the congestion on the local roads around educational establishments and also the effect on health that sedentary behaviour is having on children.
4.11. Locally
4.12. Stockport Metropolitan Borough is situated in the south east of the Greater Manchester conurbation. According to the 2011 census the population of the Borough was 283,275 and eighty five percent of the boroughs population have access to a car; with forty seven percent
11 having access to more than one vehicle. This will have the effect of increasing that likelihood of children being taken to school by car.
4.13. In January 2015 the bi-annual School Census recorded 38,730 Full Time Equivalent pupils enrolled in maintained schools including academies (pupils attending Independent Schools are not included). The mix of establishments is as follows:
Establishment type Total Number Nursery Schools 5 Primary Schools 80 Secondary Schools 9 Academies 8 Special schools 6 Independent special 3 schools Pupil Referral Units 3 Independent Schools 10 TOTAL 124
4.14. This does not include post 16 education establishments. Currently there are five 6th form colleges and 2 schools with 6th form facilities in Stockport Borough.
4.15. 93 Stockport Local Authority Maintained schools currently have school travel plans (August 2015).
4.16. Many schools are now becoming Extended Schools in which a wide variety of educational activities take place outside of the traditional working day, including breakfast clubs, after school clubs, after school sports and leisure clubs and study support. Pupils can now also be educated at different establishments throughout the week.
4.17. It should be noted that a number of schools are expanding to address increasing pupil numbers and that the planning process for this will incorporate the need to develop or review the travel plans for these sites. Independent schools are also required to develop travel plans when there are planning applications submitted for the sites.
4.18. In line with national figures on sedentary behaviour the weight of Stockport’s children still poses as concern. Children overweight or obese at reception class is now 21.1%this figure has been on an upward trend 4.19. Children overweight or obese at year 6 is now 30.2%this figure has been on an upward trend.
4.20. Mode of travel to school.
12 4.21. Previously the data required to understand travel by pupils was collated by the ‘hand up’ survey and then by the school census. This data stopped being collated in 2011. Since this data has ceased to be collected the number of children traveling to school via different modes can only be estimated using the most recent travel plans to provide a proxy for the data for the whole borough for any particular year. This is a less accurate data set as only a small number of travel plans are reviewed in any given year. There are also due to the low numbers of secondary schools within the borough some years when as no travel plans have been reviewed there is no up-to-date data for travel modes.
Primary School Modes of Travel 70
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13 FUTURE ACTION
In order to improve baseline data Schools will be encouraged to undertake annual mode of travel surveys as part of their Travel Plan monitoring and provide this information to the Council.
5. MAPPING EXERCISE
5.1. An audit of the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority that may be used when travelling to and from, or between schools/institutions within Stockport was undertaken.
5.2. GIS Maps were produced for every school, within Stockport, to encourage sustainable travel. The maps show relevant infrastructure, information and services to schools.
5.3. The following is contained within each map
A 15 minute walking zone (circle) for primary schools. A 25 minute walking zone (circle) for secondary schools. Any Park and Stride facilities that the school is promoting. ‘Please do not drop off/ park here’ and advisory one-way areas – info from plus any other traffic regulations that are in place around the surrounding are of the school. On-site facilities such as cycle storage (or intention to provide storage with generic photo. Walking Bus routes. Cycle routes and Safer Routes to School routes.
14 Location of manned and vacant School Crossing Patrols used by pupils from that school (Relevant Road Safety Officer to check info and final map). Location of traffic calmed areas and crossings. Any relevant supporting photos.
For secondary schools
Relevant bus stop location, bus service routes and details of local bus, GMPTE website and phone number. Site plan of the school showing the location of safe routes into the school ground and the cycle storage.
Other information to be included on all maps
School’s logo, name and location. Stockport Council’s logo. Map copyright. Small logo across the bottom of map about the benefits of sustainable travel. Contact details. Any additional information that might be relevant to an individual school.
FUTURE ACTION –
Schools to be encouraged to make parents aware that these maps are available.
Parents will also be encouraged to access links to school travel and road safety sections on the council site.
Changes to available infrastructure for transport need to be recorded on these maps to insure they are up to date. Schools and Traffic Services will be requested to send all new data for the maps to GIS.
6. TARGETS
6.1. The targets for the strategy are primarily drawn from other strategies which the Sustainable Modes to School Travel Strategy can help to deliver. Therefore; for the latest version of the targets the relevant plan or strategy should be consulted.
6.2. Stockport is one of ten local authorities that make up Greater Manchester. Each authority has different priorities and resources, but all 10 authorities work together to deliver the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan 3.
15 6.3. The following target is taken from the Greater Manchester LTP3.
6.4. Modal Shift
6.5. Usual method of travel to school (% non--‐car split) as reported in LTP3 progress report 2014. It is noted in the report that following the Government’s removal of the obligation on schools to supply this information data has been collated locally with varying degrees of reliability.
Status Baseline Value Latest value and Projected value and year year recorded Forecast 72.7% 73.0% (2011/12) Not set yet (2010/11) Improvement on forecast
6.6. Other general targets that have been set which changes in school travel can contribute to include –
6.7. Air quality
6.8. Changes in air quality within Greater Manchester are measured directly at monitoring stations throughout the area. Targets for Stockport are to reduce:
Nitrogen Dioxide (Nox) levels to the 2005 level of 40 µg/m3 (annual mean) to 29 µg/m3.
A 39% reduction in the level of nitrogen oxide emissions from traffic on local roads and a 1% reduction in Co2 emissions compared with the “do nothing” scenario”.
6.9. Casualty Reduction
6.10. In Greater Manchester the following target has been set in the Towards 2020 Greater Manchester Plan for Road Safety and Stockport will contribute to ensure that this figure is achieved:
A reduction below the base (2005-2009 Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) average) of 40% in KSI’s by 2020.
6.11. School Travel Plans
16 6.12. There is no target for School Travel Plans implemented; however, the greater the proportion of schools with active school travel plans in place the greater opportunity for them to deliver affective modal change. Also, all schools with an active travel plan should be monitoring the modes of travel to school and reviewing them every 3 years.
6.13. All planning applications for expansion of schools will include a review of the School Travel Plan.
6.14. Stockport Percentage of Children recorded as Overweight or Obese. 6.15. Reduction in the rate of increase in the levels of children recorded as overweight or obese as measured by National Child Measurement Programme data.
FUTURE ACTIONS The Council will encourage the use and monitoring of travel plans by schools and for that data to be forwarded to the Local Authority.
7. WORKING WITH SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL TRAVEL
7.1. Helping Schools produce Travel Plans. The resource is focused currently on expanding Schools where Travel Plans are part of the planning process. 7.2. We aim to provide assistance to develop a school travel plan by – Initial assessment meeting with school travel plan co-ordinator. Offer advice on how to conduct a school travel survey. Offer advice on which measures to include in the School Travel Plan. Advice on the contents of the School Travel Plan, ensuring that it meets the planning criteria. Advice regarding initiatives that schools may include in their plan. Guidance on implementation of the initiatives. Support with School Travel Plan monitoring and document review.
7.3. What we ask of schools Nominate a school travel champion or co-ordinator. Set up a working group within the school to take the project forward. Undertaking in an initial travel survey, and participation in ongoing monitoring Consult interested parties. Including travel awareness on the school curriculum and involve children in the development and implementation of the plan.
17 Draw up a school travel plan that sets out proposals, responsibilities and other key information. Linking the school travel plan to the school development plan. Including the school travel plan within the School Prospectus and on the school website. The school will take ownership of the travel plan and the review of annual data on travel modes being collected and shared with the Local Authority.
7.4. Process and timescales 7.5. We encourage schools to work to the following timescales in the preparation of their Travel Plan: Preliminary visit with head and school travel plan champion(s) to discuss the STP process, 2 weeks – undertaken detailed pupil, parent surveys. 1-8 weeks for collation and analysis of data by council GIS team, depending on resource availability. During this time staff and governors and any other relevant parties should be consulted and notes/minutes taken as evidence of consultation School Travel Adviser then meets with STP Working Group to discuss possible initiatives and targets for the plan. 2 weeks – writing up plan and having it proof read by travel advisor. 2 weeks – making corrections/ amendments.
7.6. The above process takes a total of 10 weeks. This can differ considerably depending on the time of year that the travel plan is being developed and the availability resource within the Traffic Management Service.
7.7. Support package to schools
7.8. Schools are offered a range of initiatives to encourage active travel and improve road safety near schools. There is however a limited resource and so not all schools are able to benefit from all the opportunities offered by the council every year. It must be noted that while the current offer is made without charge this is under review and charges may be made to schools for this provision in the future.
7.9. Our prime focus is on Primary Schools as we believe this is where we can be most effective by developing good habits and awareness in pupils at an early age. There is more general Road Safety advice and information with appropriate links on the Road safety web pages on the Council’s website. http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/transport/gettingaround/stayingsa feontheroad/
7.10. The opportunities are:
18 7.11. Operation Eagle Eye - This is an initiative to tackle parking issues outside Schools. Working alongside groups of children and the Police this is a scheme which raises the profile of driver behaviour and what can be done to make everyone’s journey to and from School safer.
7.12. Eagle Eye+ - With this Schools have the option alongside Operation Eagle Eye to undertake the following lessons; Step Outside Pedestrian training for Year 2 or 3 pupils, Headsmart for Year 4 which is a lesson looking at the importance of wearing Bicycle helmets, The Crashed Vehicle Project for Year 5’s in which pupils make and test a cardboard car looking at car safety design and all the issues surrounding road collisions and Child Speedwatch for Year 6’s. Speedwatch involves the pupils looking at what factors are involved in vehicles stopping and what may impair drivers’ ability to stop safely. Pupils record the speed of vehicles on a road near to School and use that information to calculate stopping distances.
7.13. Walk Once A Week or Walk on Wednesdays (WoW) – Pupils and schools are encouraged as part of Travel Plans to take part in this initiative. WoW is a year-round incentive scheme which rewards children for walking to school at least once a week.
7.14. The Big Pedal and Bike and Scoot month. The Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge, powered by Sustrans and supported by the Bike Hub. The Big Pedal 2016 will run from the 18 April until the 29 April. Bike and Scoot month is a Council initiative to encourage pupils to use active travel.
7.15. Walk to School fortnight October is International Walk to School Month (IWALK) Also, taking place during the month is International Walk to School Day on 7 October 2015 and IWALK Week from 5-9 October 2015. During this month Stockport promotes a walk to school fortnight.
7.16. Bikeability - training for Y5/Y6 children encouraging a general increase in cycling for health and leisure in a safe manner. Cyclist training. In Stockport we will train approximately 1400 children, through term time and holiday courses. We use the Bikeability National Standard. The course consists of stage 1 (off road – playground), & stage 2 (on road) & theory. All pupils receive a certificate of training at the end of the course.
7.17. Greater Manchester School Travel website which has a huge variety of information, resources, and games for all those involved in the school travel plan and has separate sections for pupils, teachers, parents etc. www.traveltoschool.com
19 7.18. Advice can be given on setting up a Walking Bus These are Groups of Children led by adult volunteers, usually parents, walk together on the journey to and from School. The ‘Bus’ follows an agreed, timetabled route with children joining as it progresses.
7.19. Advice can be given on setting up Park & Stride locations and routes. This is where Parents/Carers are encouraged to park away from the vicinity of School and complete the journey to and from School walking with their children. A specific parking area may be designated.
7.20. For many, walking all the way to school is not an option, but you can still do a bit to help ease congestion and keep children healthy and safe on the school run
7.21. Wider transportation improvements and support Stockport Council will continue to: Implement ‘Safer Routes to School’ & ‘20mph zone’ schemes. Support School Crossing Patrols. Not necessarily directly outside a school but anywhere on a direct route to a school. Stockport currently has over 50 school crossing patrols in operation usually between the hours of 8.00am - 9.15am and 3.00pm - 4.00pm during school term time. Implementation of Rights of Way Improvement Plan and footpath improvement programme.
8. SPECIALIST ADVICE AND SUPPORT TO PUPILS TRAVELING TO EDUCATION.
8.1. Support for SEN pupils as identified in the Special Educational Needs (SEN) School Travel Policy & Guidelines for 5-16 year olds.
8.2. Support eligible pupils within the terms of the Free School Transport Policy.
8.3. Applications for free school travel/cycle allowances are considered if the following conditions are met: 1a. Where the distance* between the gate of the home and the gate of the catchment / associated area school to be attended is more than 2 miles (up to the age of 8) or 3 miles (if aged over 8 years) or 1b. Where the distance* between the gate of the home and the gate of the catchment / associated area school and the gate of the school to be attended is more than 2 miles (up to the age of 8) or 3 miles (if aged over 8 years); or 2. Low Income eligibility - Pupils aged 8-16 years attending a maintained school who do not qualify for (1a) or (1b) above may still qualify for free school travel if their parents/carers are in
20 receipt of qualifying benefits and the distance* between home and the catchment / associated area school and the school to be attended (if different) is more than 2 miles. Qualifying benefits are: Income Support Jobseekers allowance (income based) Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, and whose annual income does not exceed £16,190 Working Tax Credit. 8.4. You will be required to provide evidence of the benefit that you are receiving. * Distance measurement will be made via the nearest available walking route using the Council’s Geographical Mapping System. Routes used may include those not passable by a motor vehicle.
8.5. Cycle allowance in-lieu of free school travel A cycle allowance is available to secondary aged pupils instead of a free travel pass, subject to the above criteria being met and the approval of the headteacher of the school to be attended.
8.6. Post 16 students will also be provided with up-to-date information on accessing education and training within the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement.
8.7. Travel to school by bus The borough of Stockport is generally well served by commercially operated bus services, which are supplemented with extra school services where necessary.
8.8. Yellow School Bus There are Yellow School Bus services to the following educational establishments:
Cheadle Hulme high School
Harrytown RC high School
Cheadle RC Infants and Primary
Reddish Vale High School; and
8.9. Fares on Yellow School Buses and Transport for Greater Manchester's dedicated school services are detailed on the TFGM website.
21 8.10. Concessionary Travel - Children aged 16 years and under and having not yet completed year 11 can travel for the concessionary fare on all buses and Metrolink trams in Greater Manchester (on rail services half fare is available for children aged 5 – 15). The concessionary fare for each bus journey is half the normal adult fare. 8.11. Children aged 11 to 16 will need an igo pass to pay the concessionary fare on buses in Greater Manchester. An igo pass proves that you are aged 16 or under and is valid until 31 August after your 16th birthday. When you are 11yrs+ you need to carry proof of your age to pay the child fare on Metrolink trams. You can use an igo pass to do this. 8.12. igo card holders can also buy saver tickets, for example System One Junior Bus Saver, available to regular travellers between 5 and 16 years. Rail Ranger, Metrolink Saver, Wayfarer day tickets, and Junior Daysaver tickets and child fare season tickets for bus, train and Metrolink tram travel. Further details on the TFGM website. 8.13. Young People aged over 16 years Students aged 16 or over and have completed year 11 at school but still in full time education have 3 options:
a Scholars Concessionary Permit which allows half fare on journeys to and from school or college (FE) on bus, train or Metrolink to travel to and from school or college Monday to Friday before 9pm term time only. It does not allow the purchase of return or season tickets.
if more than one operator is used between 16 -21yrs the System One Young Persons ticket is available for 7, 28 days or on an annual basis
if one bus company is used contact them as they often have commercial products which represent good value for money 8.14. If not in full time education
if more than one operator is used the System One Young Persons ticket is available
if one bus company is used contact them as they often have commercial products which represent good value for money
9. MONITORING & QUALITY ASSURANCE 9.1. The Council will monitor:
22 The number of school travel plans that are in the process of development and the number that have been signed off. The modal share and modal shift of all schools involved in the travel planning process through the data provided by schools as part of their monitoring of modal shift in the borough. The number of schools involved in sustainable transport initiatives such as cycle training, walking buses, park and stride schemes, Bike Week etc. Number of KSI in the borough Borough Air Quality in the Air Quality Management Zones. The levels of Obesity in the borough among children. Usage of the School Travel and Road Safety Section on the Council website.
9.2. The schools will monitor:
Each pupils’ mode of travel each year through monitoring their Travel Plan on an annual basis. The implementation of the school travel plan which should be reviewed by individual schools, at least every three years, to ensure targets are being met and set new targets where necessary.
10.PARTNERSHIPS
There are a number of partners involved in the development / implementation of this strategy. Partners at a Greater Manchester level include:-
Transport For Greater Manchester - TFGM Subsidise and procure school transport where prioritised. Liaise with public transport operators to address issues of service frequency, punctuality and quality of vehicles. Work with operators and schools to address problems of behaviour on school transport. Undertake ‘travel training’ for children with special needs. Assist with initiatives to encourage walking and cycling Develop funding bids for capital to improve facilities for transport in Greater Manchester.
Local partnerships and how they help in the development of School Travel Plans are listed below -
Partner Contribution to School Travel Plans
23 Traffic Services (Stockport Council) School Travel Plan engineering measures Promotion and support in the development of School Travel Plans Cycle Training Pedestrian Skills Support and promotion of sustainable travel initiatives
Development Control (Stockport Agreement that requires the Council) development and implementation of a school travel plan as part of planning permission and the securing of funding by large developments to allow local engineering works to encourage sustainable travel to their development. SK Solutions (Formally SDS) (on Street lighting, highway maintenance behalf of Stockport Council) and repairs, winter maintenance. Schools/ Staff / Parents / Pupils Support, development and delivering of school travel plans and sustainable travel initiatives such as Walking buses/ Walk to School events School Crossing Patrol School Crossing Patrols Team(Stockport Council)
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