SCHOOL TRAVEL
Pupils and teacher Louise White at Stanhope Primary,
which is encouraging use of the new maps
Get off to a
good start
Almost two-thirds of primary school children in our borough live within half
a mile of their school – about 15 minutes’ walk. Yet it is estimated only half of
pupils walk to school regularly.
R
esearch shows that starting
the day with a good
breakfast and a walk set us all
in good stead – or, scooting
or cycling instead. But it can make
a real difference to our children. On
average, they will concentrate better in
class, and develop more healthily.
Many parents of children due to start
school for the first time in September
will be excited, and will be busily
organising new uniforms and new
routines. But how many parents will
think about the new journey to school?
Sahreen Siddiqui, senior deputy
headteacher at Stanhope Primary
School in Greenford, said: “We have
noticed that children who walk and
get lots of exercise often concentrate
better in class, especially if they
have walked to school. As a school
community we are wholly committed to
helping our pupils, right from the start
in reception, learn how important it is
to get lots of fresh air and exercise.”
FUN, NEW MAPS TO USE
Ealing Council’s school travel team is
working with primary schools to produce
easy-to-use maps that show the best
local walking routes, including useful
cut-throughs and safety tips. Where
possible, they will also show locations
for ‘park and stride’ schemes, where
parents with further to travel can safely
leave their car and walk, scoot or cycle
the rest of the way in. The maps will be
handed out to parents by the schools.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet
member for transport, environment
and leisure, said: “The new maps are
simple to use and a fun way of getting
your child to school.
“Approximately 63% of Ealing’s
primary school children live within half
a mile of their school – easy walking
distance for most. And others who
have to drive a car could park a little
distance away and walk the rest of the
way – because every extra step counts.
“We want to see more children walking
to school throughout the borough and
setting in place the habit of a lifetime.
More people walking to school instead
of driving would benefit us all, reducing
road congestion and air pollution while
improving the health of every child who
is doing so. It also gives parents some
precious talking time with their child.
“More people walking to school
could also help prevent the scenes of
mayhem that sometimes unfold in front
of school gates caused by cars on the
‘school run’, which can make getting
to school more dangerous for our
children than it should be.”
around ealing
Summer 2016
9