Moira Hart School Travel Plan Co-Ordinator: Tony Smith Governing Body Representative: Adrian Jackson-Robbins

Roundwood Park School

Travel plan November 2009

Headteacher: Nick Daymond

Chair of Governors: Moira Hart School Travel Plan Co-ordinator: Tony Smith Governing Body Representative: Adrian Jackson-Robbins

Roundwood Park School, Roundwood Park, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 3AE Phone: (01582) 765344 Fax: (01582) 461404 Office E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.roundwoodpark.herts.sch.uk

DCSF Unique school reference number: 117520 Hertfordshire County Council number: 9194070

Signed: Date: Headteacher Nick Daymond Dec 09

Chair of Governors Moira Hart Jan 10 School Travel Plan Coordinator Tony Smith, Dec 09 School Business Manager Representative on Governing Adrian Jackson- Dec 09 Body Robbins

HCC School Travel Plan Adviser Val Male

Contents Page: 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Vision 3 1.2 Responsibilities for the travel plan 3 2 Current situation 3 2.1 Details about the school 3 2.1.1 Type of school 3 2.1.2 Location 4 2.1.3 School population 4 2.1.4 Catchment area 4 2.1.5 Transport links 4 2.1.6 Parking for cars; other facilities on site 5 2.1.7 Opening times 5 2.2 Travel patterns 5 2.2.1 All students 5 2.2.2 Students walking to school 6 2.2.3 Students travelling by bus 6 2.2.4 Students cycling to school 6 2.2.5 Students brought in by car 7 2.2.6 Sixth form 7 2.2.7 Staff 7 2.3 Consultation and evidence 8 2.4 Travel issues, problems and opportunities 8 2.4.1 Congestion at school gate morning and afternoon 8 2.4.2 Disturbance and inconvenience at other times in the school day 8 2.4.3 Disturbance out of school hours 9 2.4.4 School buses 9 2.4.5 Proposed sports hall 9 3 Action plan 10 3.1 Reducing congestion at the school gate 10 3.1.1 Reducing the number of cars used to convey pupils 10 3.1.2 Improving the flow of traffic 12 3.2 Reducing disturbance in school day 13 3.3 Reducing disturbance out of school hours 13 3.4 Ensuring good behaviour on school buses 13 3.5 Travel forum 13 4 Implementation, monitoring and review 14 4.1 Responsibility 14 4.2 Progress monitoring 14 4.3 Review and updating 14 5 Publicity 14 Appendix 1 Location plan 15 Appendix 2 Distribution of student population; bus routes 16 Appendix 3 Current use of premises out of school hours 17 Appendix 4 Current expectations for letting sports hall 18

1 Introduction

1.1 Vision

Roundwood Park School’s mission is to challenge minds, inspire success and prepare for life. Our vision for our students is that they should: Enjoy Learning – developing a passion for creativity and lifelong learning Show Integrity – demonstrating honesty and fairness Nurture Friendship – encouraging teamwork and mutual respect Strive for Excellence – achieving exemplary standards.

This vision is supported by the school’s Travel Plan by which we seek to ensure that our students, with their families:  Take responsibility for their own safety and that of their fellow students  Respect the environment  Develop healthy lifestyles  Show consideration for those living in the neighbourhood of the school.  Show consideration for other site users such as Primary School pupils and the resident caretaker.

Specific objectives within this vision are set out in section 3 below.

1.2 Responsibilities for the travel plan

Ultimate accountability for the school operating an effective Travel Plan lies with the Headteacher. Immediate responsibility for its monitoring, review and ongoing implementation is taken by Tony Smith as School Business Manager and Travel Plan Coordinator, in consultation with Adrian Jackson-Robbins, Governing Body Representative acting on behalf of the Students, Families and Community (SFC) Committee.

2 Current situation

2.1 Details about the school

2.1.1 Type of school

Roundwood Park is a state comprehensive school with specialisms in Maths and Computing, and Languages.

It is the designated ‘Access school’ for Harpenden and the surrounding villages from which students are drawn, catering for those with physical, visual or aural impairment. Currently we have 16 such students, of whom 10 come in on buses. None require the use of taxis. The only requirement for taxis is to bring in a ‘looked after’ child from a significant distance.

It has achieved ‘Healthy School’ status, which includes encouraging students to adopt healthy eating habits and active lifestyles. Students are required to do three hours of activities a week, two hours of which are PE with one hour for various activities, for example archery. Walking and cycling to school can count towards this hour and are promoted to this end.

Roundwood Park is the hub school for two collaborative initiatives, the Schools Sports Partnership scheme and HarpendenPlus Extended Schools. Staff for each are based in the school.

2.1.2 Location

The school is located in a quiet residential area of comparatively favourable socio-economic circumstances in the north west of Harpenden. The school site is shared with Roundwood Primary School. All of the playing field area is in the green belt. A location map is included as Appendix 1.

2.1.3 School population

The school caters for school years 7 to 13, that is, for ages 11 to 18 years old. The Published Admissions Number (PAN) is 182. The number of full-time students at the beginning of the year 2009/10 was 1194 with a total of 1245 on roll including 52 students from other schools attending part-time under Consortium arrangements. A total of 180 staff are employed at the school including part-time. Numbers may vary slightly during the course of the year but at present are anticipated to be broadly stable year-on-year in the medium term.

2.1.4 Catchment area

Just over half the current student population live in Harpenden with the majority of the remainder in the principal villages served by the school (Redbourn, Markyate, Wheathampstead, Kimpton, Flamstead and Breachwood Green). A significant number live in Luton and Dunstable, across the county border in Bedfordshire. The balance is accounted for by relatively small numbers from other outlying villages and neighbouring towns, with a few travelling in from a long distance. Details are given in Appendix 2. Of those living in Harpenden a significant majority (around 80%) live within a 20-minute walk from the school.

2.1.5 Transport links

School buses are provided to bring students in from the village communities under contracts placed by the County. These run into a turning circle within the school campus. Public bus service 321 runs along the A1081 to/from Luton, through Harpenden and towards St Albans and Watford, together with service 636 between Luton and Harpenden. Service 202 provides a service to/from Dunstable via Slip End. Both stop near the bottom of Park Hill, about 7 or 8 minutes walk from the school. Details are given in Appendix 2. Other public services generally duplicate routes taken by the school buses and, less conveniently, operate via the town centre and not along the Luton Road as far as Park Hill.

The ‘Nickey Line’ provides a cycle and pedestrian route between the east of Harpenden (the top end of Hollybush Lane) and Redbourn, passing the southern boundary of the school site. This provides pleasant walking in the warm dry days of summer when it is quite well used from the Hollybush Lane direction. However, it is frequently muddy and wet in winter and is unlit after dark. Even in summer some parents are reluctant to allow students to use it on their own because of the perceived risks.

Harpenden station on the First Capital Connect ‘Thameslink’ route provides frequent services from Luton and St Albans. However it is 20 minutes walk from the school and the 321 bus provides a much more convenient mode of travel from both towns.

2.1.6 Parking for cars; other facilities on site

Space is provided on the Roundwood Park Secondary School campus site for 109 cars. This is less than the number of staff who drive to school but their cars are not parked on the street. Space is found because part-timers work different hours, some very limited, and others double-park, moving their cars as necessary. A small number of spaces are reserved for visitors and informal use is also made of the turning circle between bus times.

48 bike shed spaces are provided and the students have use of 1152 lockers.

2.1.7 Opening times

The school timetable covers the period 8.30am to 3.20pm. Buses are timetabled to arrive from 8.14am onwards but depending on traffic conditions can arrive from 8.00am. A few students are dropped earlier than that by parents on their way to work. The buses are timetabled to depart together at 3.30pm. A relatively small number of students usually remain on site after timetabled hours to participate in clubs or to complete after-school detentions. Timetabled hours for the Primary School are 8.40am to 3.00pm. The schools have co- operated to stagger their opening and closing times to reduce traffic at peak times. Users of the nursery at the Primary School access the site 8.30 to 11.00am and 1.00 to 3.00pm.

Regular lettings take place on Monday to Thursday evenings up to 10.00pm and on Saturday and Sunday mornings; details are given in Appendix 3. Occasional lettings take place on Saturday evenings and during the day in school holidays.

Under the Extended Schools initiative the school is required to provide Community Access and a number of regular activities take place on weekday evenings and other times; details are included in Appendix 3.

Opening times for the proposed Sports Hall are discussed in section 2.4.5 below.

2.2 Travel patterns

2.2.1 All students

The breakdown of travel modes compiled for the school census is tabulated below:

Mode: Census % Car 237 20% Car share 69 6% Taxi 4 0% Cycle 10 1% School bus 375 31% Public bus 76 6% Walk 422 35% Total: 1193 Note: one student has left since the beginning of the school year.

Separately, a questionnaire survey of students across years 7 to 10 and 12 was undertaken in summer 2009 of a representative sample of 687 out of the then total of 1166. The results are tabulated below, together with the numbers pro rata to the present population. The survey returns would have been slightly distorted in that year 13 were excluded, being on study leave; of these a number would have been driving themselves to school (see section 2.2.6 below).

However, it can be assumed there was no significant change in travel pattern between 2008/9 and 2009/10 as the school’s catchment has not changed beyond minor percentages.

Breakdown of 687 Per cent Pro rata to surveyed out of 1166 current 1193 Walking: 229 33% 398 Cycling: 14 2% 24 Car or taxi: 217 32% 377 Bus: 227 33% 395

2.2.2 Students walking to school

Analysis of the addresses of a random sample of 120 out the 666 students currently with a Harpenden address indicated that some 80%, that is, approaching 550, live within a reasonable walking distance of the school. The definition of ‘reasonable walking distance’ is open to wide interpretation – the foregoing is based on a walking time of around 20 minutes. However, while allowing for a range of perceptions, it appears that at least 100 more students could walk to school, based on either census or survey figures.

2.2.3 Students travelling by bus

The majority of communities outside Harpenden with Roundwood Park students are served by direct buses provided under contracts placed by County (Appendix 2 refers). A number of public services along the A1081 also serve stops close to the school (section 2.1.5 above refers). Precise analysis of the capacity of the overall service in relation to potential usage has not yet been possible because of a number of unknowns, including:  How many seats are available on the public services along the Luton Road; the 321 is frequently full and standing in the morning peak  How many students from Sir John Lawes use services E178 and E188  The number of students in Luton and St Albans who can reasonably access the 321 and 636  Similarly the number from the Dunstable direction who can sensibly access the 202.

Comparison of the number recorded in the school census as using public services with the number coming from Luton and St Albans suggests that good use is made of the public services along the A1081.

The seating capacities of contract buses suggest that more could be carried from most locations and in overall terms there appears to be significant spare capacity. The major exception is the Southdown bus (the 868) which is unacceptably overcrowded, with typically over a dozen students standing. The capacity of the Redbourn buses is also questionable. However, the key question is how many students are brought in by car in preference to the bus and the reasons why. Further targeted research is needed to obtain reliable information.

2.2.4 Students cycling to school

Relatively very few students cycle to school. However, if those within walking distance are discounted, the number for whom cycling is a realistic option is limited, namely those living on the eastern and southern edges of Harpenden. The Southdown students are a majority of the latter and have the bus option (subject to the overcrowding problem noted in section 2.2.3 above). Nevertheless there is little doubt that it is feasible for more students to cycle.

2.2.5 Students brought in by car

There are a number of valid reasons for students being brought by car, including:  None of the walking/cycling/bus options are feasible  A parent drops off/picks up the student on the way to/from work  The student is conveyed with a sibling still at the primary school.

However, the potential for travel by other means, particularly walking as discussed in section 2.2.2 above, indicates that car transport is a matter of choice and convenience for a significant number. According to the census a significant number already car share, which provides encouragement to pursue this option further.

2.2.6 Sixth Form

A different travel pattern prevails in the Sixth Form for a number of reasons:  It has a different demographic profile to years 7 to 11, with students leaving at the end of year 11 and a number joining from other schools, including from Luton  Students do not make use of the buses provided by County  In particular some elect to drive themselves to school upon passing their test. The severe restraint on parking on site (section 2.1.6 refers) necessitates that they park on the road.

Students using their cars are required to record their registration number with office staff so that if a car is parked inconsiderately a resident can check if it is a student who is responsible. Students are being encouraged to park a good distance away from the school to minimise congestion at the gate (section 3.2 refers). Options for reducing the number of cars include sharing, using public transport and, if the student lives locally, cycling or even walking. Further research is needed to determine how feasible these are. Driving instructors are required to collect their tutees away from the school site.

2.2.7 Staff

A questionnaire regarding travel arrangements was circulated to staff in October 2009, generating 75 responses. Although it would be unwise to extrapolate these to the full complement of 180 staff they give useful indicators on practice and attitudes.

Geography is a key factor in choice of mode. Of the 75 respondents, 22 live in Harpenden and of these a significant number (16) walk and two cycle, representing a major proportion of those realistically able to do so. A small number (two) recognise that they could walk and similarly two more might cycle given appropriate facilities (lockers, showers).

23 staff live in Luton or St Albans, for whom public transport via 321/636 buses could be a viable option. However, only one uses the bus at present and the option is generally written off on grounds such as the service being unreliable, infrequent, expensive or the timings not being convenient. The school buses do not represent a realistic option.

The other staff live in towns and villages at a distance that makes use of a car the only choice. 16 would consider the option of sharing a car and four already do; however, for more to do so would require more research and probably active facilitation. Other reasons for individual use of a car include:  External meetings during the day (7 respondents)  The need to remain on site after school hours (16)  Working part-time (12).

2.3 Consultation and evidence

In summary, the primary consultation exercises carried out within the school are the student questionnaire discussed in section 2.2.1 and the staff questionnaire referred to in section 2.2.7. Drafts of the Plan were commented on by the Senior Leadership Team and the Students, Families and Community Committee of the Governing Body. Externally, the community was involved in the process via regular meetings convened by the Neighbourhood Police Constable, particularly with reference to traffic issues (local Town, District and County Councillors attend, Roundwood and Wood End Primary schools are also invited to the meetings).

2.4 Travel issues, problems and opportunities

2.4.1 Congestion at school gate, morning and afternoon

The biggest single, travel-related problem facing the school is serious and chronic traffic congestion outside the school gates at the start and, to a lesser extent, the end of the school day. The scale of the problem in the morning is apparent from the most casual observation but was subject to specific observation in September (morning) and November 2009 (afternoon) conducted by the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator and the Representative Governor. Particular causes of the congestion in the morning are:  Vehicles being parked on the west (school gate) side of Roundwood Park, effectively reducing it to a single carriageway. This results in traffic backing up on both sides and the space defined by the zigzag lines being used as a passing place, defeating its object. The problem is particularly critical on the length between the gate and the turn into Park Hill as this is where buses are liable to pass each other in the mornings. On the day of observation in the morning the drivers parking in this length included a local resident, a sixth former and parents escorting their children into school.  The nine school buses bringing pupils in from surrounding communities, arriving in the morning at random times depending on traffic en route. Being large vehicles they have obvious difficulties in manoeuvring and cannot reverse out of a situation. Problems are particularly acute if a bus arrives as another tries to leave; on the day of observation a departing bus had to mount the pavement to pass a bus arriving.  The parents from both schools who feel compelled to drop children off as close possible to the gate.

The obvious results of this situation are risks to the safety of students (also parents and small siblings in the case of the Primary School) and inconvenience for local residents. The problem is less acute in the afternoon; the buses mostly arrive well before the school finish and are timed to leave at the same time after most of the traffic associated with the Primary School has dispersed.

2.4.2 Disturbance and inconvenience at other times in the school day

Parking on the road during the school day is another matter of concern to local residents, with instances of inconsiderate parking across driveways or damage to gateposts being attributed to the school. Sixth Form students who drive themselves to school park on the road, as discussed in section 2.2.6 above. Sixth Formers from other schools come to Roundwood Park to be taught certain courses under the Consortium arrangements, some of whom drive themselves, also parking on the road.

There is a moderate amount of traffic into and out of the site during the school day. Visitors come into school for a variety of reasons – parents with an appointment, County officials, voluntary organisations, etc. These generally find space to park on site (section 2.1.6 refers). The school itself generates some traffic, with minibuses taking students to Diploma courses taught elsewhere, also, together with staff cars, taking pupils to sports and PE facilities not sufficiently available on site. The latter will significantly reduce when the Sports Hall is complete (section 2.4.5 refers).

2.4.3 Disturbance out of school hours

Activities out of school hours (as discussed in section 2.1.7 above) generate traffic with the potential to cause some disturbance at night and over weekends. Some events attract significant numbers of vehicles, for example ChristChurch hires the school on Sunday mornings attracting a congregation of between 200 and 300, resulting in over 80 vehicles parked on site (observed on a typical Sunday in September 2009). Annual parent/teacher consultations take place after school for each year group of up to 180 students. Parents are aware that they can park on site. The biggest event of the year is the Open Evening, attracting 500-600 families (over 1000 people). Special arrangements are made for this, including stewarding and floodlit parking on the field, and the nearest 250 residents informed in advance by hand-delivered letter. However, these activities generate very few specific complaints to the school and nothing has been referred to local Councillors for discussion in the Police neighbourhood liaison meeting (section 2.3 refers).

A particular issue that recently arose is disturbance to immediate neighbours caused by the noise and vibration that occurs when heavy vehicles cross the speed bumps in the driveway, particularly in the early hours. These were installed as a traffic calming safety measure by the Primary School in October 2008, as recorded in their 2009/10 Traffic Plan. This has been the subject of a number of meetings on site to discuss alternatives to the bumps. The situation has now been ameliorated to an extent by changing the location of one hump and the installation of gates that can be closed overnight. It continues to be an issue of concern to immediate neighbours.

Historically, residents have expressed particular concern in the context of planning applications for developments at the school that might generate traffic and this is addressed specifically in section 2.4.5 below.

2.4.4 School buses

A substantial number of students come in on buses provided under contracts placed by County – section 2.2.3 and Appendix 2 refer. Price is a major consideration for County and the quality of vehicles and attitudes of the drivers vary. Apart from the driver, who must obviously be focused primarily on the road, no responsible adults travel on the buses. In these circumstances discipline is difficult to enforce, with the result that younger students in particular can feel intimidated. Misbehaviour can also have health and safety implications, as can the overcrowding noted in section 2.2.3.

2.4.5 Proposed Sports Hall

Subject to timely grant of planning permission, the Sports Hall is programmed to open in April 2011. Detailed arrangements for its use and management cannot be finalised until nearer that time to reflect the then prevailing circumstances. Current working proposals for use out of school hours, including finish times, are summarised in Appendix 4. It is thought that the majority of lets will be for team-based activities leading to between 15 and 20 cars on site at

any one time. Parking on site will not be a problem as it will be possible to use play areas and other locations not available in school hours.

3 Action Plan

This section details the specific actions that will be taken to address the issues identified in section 2 above, in terms of:  Objectives that the school will seek to attain  The actions that will be taken in pursuit of these objectives  The target dates for completing these actions  The persons responsible.

This section also notes the action required to re-convene a joint Travel Forum with the Primary School.

3.1 Reducing congestion at the school gate

Two complementary strategies can be deployed to reduce congestion at the school gate in the morning namely:  Reducing the number of cars bringing students to school  Improving the flow of traffic along Roundwood Park.

Particularly close collaboration will be required with the Primary School in implementing these strategies as more than any other issue the congestion is a problem shared.

3.1.1 Reducing the number of cars used to convey pupils

This strategy can be implemented on a number of fronts. The school will seek to increase the number of students walking or cycling within a sensible range of the school and use of buses where these are available outside this range. Where there is no sensible alternative to the car, the approach will be to encourage and facilitate car-sharing. Specific objectives, actions, targets and responsibilities in implementing this strategy are tabulated below.

Objective 1: to increase the number of students who walk to school if they are realistically able to do so Action 1.1: design and undertake targeted survey of End of Co-ordinator / Harpenden parents within perceived walking range to identify autumn Representative barriers to walking and potential inducements/ term 2009 Governor encouragements to do so Action 1.2: analyse survey, identify potential options for Spring Half Co-ordinator encouraging/facilitating walking, seek sources of funding Term 2010 where required Action 1.3: implement realistic options End of Co-ordinator spring term 2010 Target: to increase the number of students living within End of autumn term 2010 walking distance who actually walk from 80% to 90%

Objective 2: to increase the number of students who cycle to school if they are realistically able to do so Action 2.1: design and undertake survey of Harpenden End of Co-ordinator parents to identify barriers to cycling and potential autumn inducements/encouragements to do so term 2009 Action 2.2: design and undertake survey of students to End of Co-ordinator identify attitudes to cycling autumn term 2009 Action 2.3: analyse surveys, identify potential options for Spring half Co-ordinator facilitating cycling and offering inducements, seek sources of term 2010 funding where required Action 2.4: implement realistic options End of Co-ordinator spring term 2010 Action 2.5: take assemblies in year groups 7 to 10 to promote End of Headteacher / cycling including addressing issues arising from both surveys spring term Co-ordinator 2010 Target: to increase the number of students who cycle from End of autumn term 2010 2% to 3%

Objective 3: to increase use of buses by students with access to them Action 3.1: undertake further research to relate current bus End of Co-ordinator provision to potential uptake on the routes autumn term 2009 Action 3.2: design and undertake targeted survey of parents End of Co-ordinator / on bus routes to identify issues relating their use autumn Governor term 2009 Action 3.3: analyse survey, identify measures to increase use Spring half Co-ordinator of buses where available term 2010 Action 3.4: negotiate with County improved quality of End of Co-ordinator provision on contract buses, including all vehicles fitted with spring term seat belts and matching supply to potential demand 2010 Action 3.5: put measures arising from action 3.3 in place End of Co-ordinator spring term 2010 Target: to increase by 50% the proportion of students who End of autumn term 2010 use the buses where they are available.

Objective 4: to increase car-sharing where use of a car can be justified Action 4.1: design and undertake survey of parents to identify End autumn Co-ordinator / extent of car sharing, attitudes towards it and what might be term 2009 Governor done to facilitate it Action 4.2: similarly survey sixth formers known to drive to End autumn Co-ordinator school term 2009 Action 4.3: analyse survey and as required undertake further Spring half Co-ordinator research to identify the potential uptake and measures that term 2010 would facilitate it Action 4.4: put measures in place End spring Co-ordinator term 2010 Target: to increase by 50% the extent of car sharing where it End of autumn term 2010

is a reasonable option.

3.1.2 Improving the flow of traffic

Reducing the number of cars bringing students to school will obviously help reduce the congestion in the peak period but other strategies can also be put in place:  Keeping both sides of Roundwood Park sufficiently clear of parked vehicles to allow two lines of traffic in the vicinity of the gate  Encouraging parents to drop students off over a wider area.

Both these strategies will require ongoing monitoring and follow-up – otherwise both will tend strongly to revert to the status quo. Objectives, actions, targets and responsibilities in implementing this strategy are tabulated below.

Objective 5: to keep west side of Roundwood Park clear of parked vehicles between 8.00am and 8.40am, particularly between the gate and Park Hill Action 5.1: write to all parents asking them not to park End autumn Headteacher anywhere along Roundwood Park between the corner with term 2009 Park Hill and Medlows in the periods 8.00am to 8.40am and 2.45pm to 3.45pm Action 5.2: request Primary School to write to parents in End autumn Headteacher similar terms term 2009 Action 5.3: write to local residents in the immediate vicinity End autumn Chair of informing them of the school’s intentions and seeking their term 2009 Governors co-operation Action 5.4: arrange for the Community Constable and PCSOs End autumn Governor to provide a visible presence at least once a term offering term 2009 advice and encouragement for parents and others to co- operate Action 5.5: request Sixth Formers not to park between Park End autumn Head of Sixth Hill and Medlows term 2009 Target: to reduce the incidence of parking in the defined area End of summer term 2010 / time to consistently less than one day in ten

Objective 6: to encourage dispersal of drop off over a wider area Action 6.1: as Action 5.1 End autumn Headteacher term 2009 Action 6.2: as Action 5.2 End autumn Headteacher term 2009 Action 6.3: as Action 5.4 End autumn Governor term 2009 Action 6.4: negotiate with local authority to clean up side End autumn Headteacher / alleys to encourage use by students entering school, term 2010 Co-ordinator encouraging drop-off further up Roundwood Park or in Park Rise Target: to achieve visible trend, based on regular End of summer term 2010 observations

3.2 Reducing disturbance at other times in the school day

Traffic in and out of the school during the day is on legitimate business and most visitors can find space to park on site (section 2.4.2 refers). On the infrequent occasions when numbers of parents attend school during the day some parking on the street cannot be avoided. It is not possible to regulate this situation but action is being taken to minimise inconvenience arising from parking in the street by the Sixth Form (sections 2.2.6 and 2.4.2 refer).

Objective 7: to reduce extent of parking in vicinity of school Action 7.1: request Sixth Formers to car share where feasible End autumn Head of Sixth term 2009 Action 7.2: as Action as 5.5 End autumn Head of Sixth term 2009 Target: to achieve visible reduction in parking in vicinity of End of summer term 2010 school, based on regular observations

3.3 Reducing disturbance and inconvenience from traffic out of school hours

The main area of concern is traffic in the late evening and to a lesser extent on Sundays in connection with school functions and lettings (Sections 2.1.7, 2.4.1 and Appendix 3 refer). The volume of traffic is determined by the size and nature of the activity and it is not feasible to attempt to apply the actions designed to reduce the number of cars delivering students (section 3.1.1 refers). The school’s lettings policy stipulates that bookings will be accepted only if the local community will not suffer any unacceptable disturbance. The latter is gauged by complaints made to the school. Very few are currently received and all receive a response from the School Business Manager or other member of the Senior Leadership Team. The lettings form requests that hirers park on site and are considerate to the neighbours.

3.4 Ensuring good behaviour on school buses

Arranging for adult supervisors to travel on each bus is the only certain means of ensuring good behaviour but this would be at significant cost. Measures to maintain better levels of discipline are effectively confined to ensuring that only suitable vehicles are used, namely strictly single-deckers only, fitted with seat belts which drivers are instructed to insist on being used. Feedback on behaviour from parents or drivers is followed up and dealt with under the school’s discipline procedures. Sanctions include banning from the buses.

Objective 8: to ensure consistent use of suitable vehicles Action 8.1: request County to place contracts with operators End Autumn Co-ordinator based strictly on use of suitable vehicles only and follow up term 2009 as required Target: consistent use of suitable vehicles except for End of Autumn term 2010 exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, no more than twice per term.

3.5 Travel Forum

It is proposed that a Travel Forum be re-constituted jointly with the Primary School, comprising the Travel Plan Co-ordinator, a Governing Body representative and a representative parent from each school. The Head of Sixth Form will participate as required. The Forum will be the

vehicle for sharing observations, identifying issues of common concern and agreeing joint actions as required. It will provide each school with advice and recommendations relating to their respective Travel Plans. It will operate primarily informally, communicating through ad hoc meetings on site and by email, convening only as necessary.

Objective 9: to re-convene the school Travel Forum Action 9.1: draft Terms of Reference End Autumn Co-ordinator Term 2009 Action 9.2: approach Primary School to participate End Autumn Headteacher Term 2009 Target: hold initial meeting, set Forum in motion January 2010

4 Implementation, monitoring and review

4.1 Responsibility

The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will take overall responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and review of the Plan, in consultation with the Representative Governor and HCC School Travel Plan Adviser as required (section 1.2 refers).

4.2 Progress monitoring

The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will monitor progress on individual actions and the achievement of targets at the end of each term, reporting to SLT and the governors’ SFC Committee as necessary. When relevant, issues will be raised with the HCC Travel Plan Adviser and the Travel Forum.

4.3 Review and updating

The Travel Plan Co-ordinator and Representative Governor will review and update the Plan at an appropriate time to take into account relevant issues raised in the course of the Planning Application for the Sports Hall, in consultation with the HCC Travel Plan Adviser and the Travel Forum. The Plan will be similarly reviewed and updated when the Sports Hall has been in use for a minimum of two terms. These reviews will pay particular attention to the interests of the neighbourhood, as well as any implications for the travel needs of the students.

In the event that significant change is forthcoming in the Admission Number, in the arrangements for Consortium working or arising from the introduction of Diplomas, the Plan will be updated in the summer term of the prior school year with particular reference to changed travel needs.

The entire Plan will be reviewed in October 2012 and be re-issued by the end of that term.

5 Publicity

Publication of the Travel Plan will be highlighted in ‘RoundUp’, the school’s weekly newsletter. It will be made available on the school’s website. It will be issued to Town, District and County Councillors for their reference, with an invitation to highlight it in relevant newsletters / magazines issued by the authority concerned.

Appendix 1: Location plan

The school campus is at bottom left with the drive opening onto Roundwood Park. The main road (A1081) runs from mid-right to mid-top with Park Hill running up to a right-angled bend into Roundwood Park, alongside the ‘Nickey Line’ path on the formation of the former railway.

Appendix 2: Distribution of student population; bus routes

Services provided under contract to County serving the school directly are indicated in bold. Timings are at principal pick-up points and arrival at school in the morning, and departure from school in the evening. Timing points for public services are shown individually.

Town / village No. % Bus Seats Dep. Arr. Dep Notes Harpenden 666 55.8% 868 57 07.56 08.15 15.30 To/from Cross Lane estate, via Southdown. Public service provided under County contract Redbourn 174 14.6% E407 123 07.57 08.21 15.30 Different routes within Redbourn (also served by E411) E410 07.45 08.14 15.30 Markyate 109 9.1% E405/6 120 07.30 08.20 15.52 Luton 73 6.1% 321, 636 07.49 08.11 15.38 321 times: Luton at Church St, Harpenden at High Street Wheathampstead 63 5.3% 866 35 07.54 08.22 15.30 Public service provided under County contract Kimpton 28 2.3% E178 70 07.46 08.19 15.30 Also serves SJL St. Pauls Walden 2 0.2% 07.30 Whitwell 3 0.3% 07.38 Flamstead 24 2.0% E411 53 07.35 08.15 15.30 Also serves Redbourn Breachwood Green 20 1.7% E188 49 07.54 08.20 15.30 Also serves SJL & St George’s Peters Green 3 0.3% 08.06 Dunstable 6 0.5% 202 07.42 08.20 15.52 Dunstable time at the L&D, Harpenden at High Street Hemel Hempstead 7 0.6% St Albans 7 0.6% 321 07.52 08.08 15.57 St Albans time at St Peter’s St, Harpenden at High Street Studham 0 0.0% Flitwick 1 0.1% Hitchin 2 0.2% Kings Langley 1 0.1% St Johns Wood 1 0.1% Lower Woodside 1 0.1% Welwyn 0 0.0% Welwyn Garden City 3 0.3%

Totals: 1194 100.0% 507

Appendix 3

Current use of premises out of school hours

Regular lettings

Monday: Computer class 7.00 – 9.00pm Tuesday: Trampoline Club 3.45 – 5.15pm Exercise class 6.45 – 7.45pm Computer class 6.30 – 7.30pm Badminton Club 8.00 – 10.00pm Wednesday: Ballroom dancing 7.30 – 8.30pm Karate 6.30 – 7.30pm, alternate weeks Ta Jii 7.30 – 8.30pm Computer class 6.30 – 7.30pm Thursday: Karate 6.30 – 9.30pm Computer class 4.45 – 6.15pm Friday: Saturday: Tae Kwon Do 10.00 – 11.00am Football 10.00 – 12.00pm, September-May Sunday: ChristChurch, Harpenden 9.00am – 1.00pm

There are occasional lettings on Saturday evening for Quiz Nights, Barn Dances and similar functions. There are also day-time lettings during school holidays.

Extended School Community Use

Holiday football club Every school holiday, during the day Parent Support Group In addition to individual contacts, six meetings are held in the school year with up to eight parents attending Information evening for parents Once a year (not always at RPS) with up to 300 parents attending ICT for senior citizens Weekly 3.30 – 4.30pm Computer club for Junior schools, year 6 Weekly, 3.30 – 4.30pm, with 30 children, some walking, some brought by car Adult evening courses in Maths, ICT, Typically two evenings per week over five Languages weeks, 6.30 – 8.00pm, with up to 20 adults including 15 OAPs on the ‘Silver Surfer’ course.

Appendix 4

Current expectations for letting Sports Hall

Use

Main Hall, primary activities Badminton; basketball; netball; table tennis Main Hall, possible activities Fencing; indoor tennis; cricket nets Dance studio Aerobics; pilates; yoga; dance; kick boxing; karate Fitness centre Fitness coaching – weights; circuit training Note: adult football is not included as it would impose too much wear and tear.

Hours

Weeknights 6.00pm to 10.00pm Saturdays 9.00am to 7.00pm Sunday 9.30am to 6.00pm Note: the site would normally be cleared approximately 15 minutes after the last letting.