At Waterside Primary Academy, we are committed to promoting healthy, active and sustainable travel for our pupils, staff and families. We actively encourage walking, scooting and cycling to school wherever possible because this:

• Keeps us fit, healthy and ready to learn
• Develops essential road safety skills and independence
• Reduces traffic congestion around school
• Improves local air quality
• Promotes positive lifelong habits

Active travel supports our wider commitment to wellbeing, safety and environmental responsibility within our school community.

What We Do

At Waterside Primary Academy, we:

• Use Modeshift STARS to review, monitor and continuously improve our School Travel Plan
• Promote safe and active travel through newsletters, displays, assemblies and our website
• Encourage walking, cycling and public transport wherever possible
• Provide:
  • Bikeability cycle training
  • Cycle parking
  • Scooter parking 
• Walk to local venues for school trips where appropriate

What We Ask of Parents and Carers

We ask parents and carers to support our approach by:

• Encouraging children to walk, scoot or cycle whenever possible
• Ensuring children travel safely and sensibly and push bikes and scooters on school grounds
• Making sure bicycles and scooters are roadworthy and properly maintained
• Considering providing a cycle helmet
• Ensuring children are visible, particularly in darker months, by using lights and/or high-visibility clothing
• Ensuring appropriate insurance cover for bicycles and scooters, as the school cannot accept liability for loss or damage

If You Need to Drive

• We understand that active travel is not always possible. Where driving is necessary, we ask that you:
• Consider parking further away and walking the final part of the journey
• Park legally, safely and respectfully towards our neighbours
• Do not park on double yellow lines or block residential driveways at any time
• Thank you for helping us maintain safe and respectful relationships with our local community.

Please note: The decision about whether a child is competent to cycle or scoot to school rests with parents/carers. The school cannot accept liability for this decision.

What We Ask of Pupils

We encourage our pupils to:

• Ask their parents if they can walk, scoot or cycle to school
• Represent Waterside Primary Academy positively when travelling
• Travel courteously, safely and responsibly
• Check that their bike or scooter is safe and well maintained
• Consider wearing a helmet
• Use lights and wear high-visibility clothing in darker conditions

By working together, we can ensure that travel to and from Waterside Primary Academy is safe, healthy and environmentally responsible for everyone.

Useful links:

The Highway Code - Waiting and parking (238 to 252) - Guidance - GOV.UK

Parents Parking Promise – School Travel Planning