Road safety training in primary schools
Education and practical pedestrian training
Road safety education is offered to all Herefordshire primary school pupils in years 2, 3 and 6. The lessons aim to increase pedestrian safety through class discussions and practical real-life training. For younger children we discuss why it is important not to cross the road on their own, who to cross with, the importance of holding hands and the meaning of STOP, LOOK, LISTEN. For older pupils we discuss the Green Cross Code.
Some schools are able to support practical training for year 3 pupils. This includes a classroom lesson followed by a walk in the local area designed to put the theory into practice using the Green Cross Code.
Crucial Crew is an annual two week safety event for primary school year 6 pupils held at Leominster Police station. This road safety workshop uses a school bus to demonstrate passenger safety, seatbelts, distractions, evacuation routes and emergency procedures. We also use the bus to show where blind spots are on vehicles, especially when crossing the road or cycling.
Junior Road Safety Officers
The Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) scheme empowers children to highlight road safety issues within their school. In September each year we invite primary schools to nominate two year 6 pupils to become JRSOs for their school. Each JRSO receives suggestions and ideas on how to deliver road safety messages along with a hi-viz jacket, badge, notepad, pencil and Highway Code.
The chosen pupils:
- Promote road safety to the rest of the school and reinforce road safety lessons
- Raise healthy ways to travel, especially to school
- Raise awareness of road safety to parents and teachers
- Provide a link between the council's road safety team and the pupils