School Travel Plan Irchester Community Primary School 9282232 January 2015 Contents The School Travel Plan should be structured into the following sections: For office use: Planning reference... /... /...
1 Introduction to the School / College 2 Travel and Transport Issues 3 Travel Surveys Pupils, Parents, Staff and Visitors 4 Objectives and Targets 5 Proposed Measures 6 Timetable of Implementation 7 Evidence of Consultation 8 Monitoring and Review Proposals 9 Sign Off Appendices ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 2
1 Introduction 1.1 School Information Irchester Community Primary School is a large maintained community school with 354 pupils. It is a good school as rated by Ofsted in May 2014. It has a unique science specialist facility known as Lab 13 and is a primary science excellence training venue. Irchester Community Primary School is the only school within the village of Irchester. The primary school was created when the junior school and infant school, both on the same site, were amalgamated in September 2002. The main junior school building was built in 1908. The present entry number is 50 per year. The proposed building work set to begin in summer 2015 and completed by September 2016 is to increase the school to a PAN of 60 pupils and NOR to 420. The school has been oversubscribed for the past 4 years. Two children have statements of educational need as of the January census 2015; neither have transport provided. 1.2 Pupil Information The school attend the school from 4 11 years old. The pre-school facility is at the village hall situated opposite the entrance of School Lane. 83.3% of the pupils live in the village. Others come from the outskirts of Rushden and Wellingborough, with a small number from the travellers site near Irchester Country Park. The school is open to pupils from 8:40 am (flexible start before official start time of 8:50am). The end of the school day is 3:15pm. There is a breakfast club from 8:00am. Parents bringing children to the breakfast club are permitted to drive into the staff car park to drop off the children. After school there are some sports and activity clubs for an hour. 1.3 Location Irchester village is about 2 miles south-east of the town of Wellingborough and 2 miles south-west of Rushden. At the time of the 2001 census, the population of the parish of Irchester was 4,807 people living in 2,020 households. The school is situated on School Lane, which is a no through road. The doctor s surgery is at the entrance to School Lane and the village hall is opposite (see photographs in the appendix). ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 3
Irchester Community Primary School 1.4 Location Maps The school is on the north side of the village. The majority of the children live south of the B569 Wollaston Road. The school s catchment area is the parish of Irchester (see extract from admissions booklet in appendix). ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 4
1.5 Transport Links Bus services (routes / frequency) accessing the school site (see appendix ) The main bus service serving the village is the X46 operated by Stagecoach Group. It connects the village with Wellingborough, Rushden, Northampton, Earls Barton, Higham Ferrers and Raunds. A small number of children living in Little Irchester occasionally travel via bus, however this is infrequent due to the times of the buses. In the morning the bus arrives at the recreation ground in Irchester at 8:50 which is a 5 minute walk away. After school the bus leaves at 15.37pm which is 22 minutes after the end of school. Walking routes accessing the school site As the school is situated on a no through road the vast majority of those who walk to school walk up School Road and into School Lane from the same direction. There is a footpath with steps leading from Baker s Crescent to the top of School Lane. Cycling routes accessing the school site There are no cycle routes accessing the school site. Train services. The nearest railway station is at Wellingborough, approximately 2 miles from the village. Places served directly by East Midlands Trains include London, Luton, Bedford, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. 1.6 Existing Travel Facilities Walking: There are pavements on both sides of school Road and School Lane, but only one side up School Hill. There are two zebra crossings on Wollaston Road B569 by the recreation ground and the Cooperative store. All pedestrians enter the school via one electronically controlled gate. Cycling: There are no cycle routes to the school site. There is no safe access to the school site that would avoid contact with pedestrians or vehicles. Vehicles: There is a staff car park with 24 bays and two disabled bays. School visitors are requested to park in the Village Hall car park. 1.7 School Initiatives participation The school fought a strong campaign in 2011 to retain their Lollipop Lady when the service was made redundant by NCC. Annually the school raises funds for the Parish Council to pay for the Lollipop Lady. This manned crossing patrol is on the zebra crossing outside the cooperative store. ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 5
The school has Junior Road safety Officers ho have worked with the PSCO to improve safety outside school. They successfully campaigned to get the yellow lines painted around the school entrance to be extended (see photograph). They have frequently warned parents for unacceptable parking and have used speed cameras. The school opens its playground up to parents when hosting an after school event in order to remove additional parking from the surrounding streets. Local residents are also given written information about when events are taking place. School letters, and on the on website too frequently request parents to consider parking safely and to use the Working Men s Club car park or the Village Hall car park. The school annually holds level 1 and Level 2 bikeability training. 1.8 Community Use of School On Saturdays the school is used as an outdoor training ground for Irchester Romans under 8s football. In the school holidays Pacesetter Sports hold a holiday club 9 4pm which is attended by up to 30 pupils from many local schools. 2 Travel and Transport Issues Onsite parking spaces of the school and in the vicinity are very limited. Congestion at the School gates, and local well-being in the busy residential area at peak times, causes significant concern amongst parents, staff, pupils, Governors and local residents. Local police, the County Highways Officer, Parish Council and Sustrans Team have acknowledged the difficulties of the location. Regular newsletters highlight the benefits of walking to school and the need for safe driving and considerate parking away from the area. A small number of children have special educational needs but not of a physical nature. The majority of staff live outside the village and travel by car. The School makes many visits during the School day mostly using local coach companies or minibuses both of which have difficulties accessing the site at peak times. There are many occasions where children and staff walk within the village for first hand curriculum experiences. Parking issues are exacerbated by the GP surgery opposite the school entrance and the well-used Village Hall on School Road, which hosts the local pre-school and community groups. Traffic congestion outside the school gate is the main concern for parents and local residents. They view the increase in school numbers by 70 pupils as a negative contributory factor in this. ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 6
3 Travel Surveys 3.1 Pupil Survey: November 2014 Results of pupil survey: 312 responses Present mode of travel Preferred mode of travel Mode Number % Number % Walk 168 53.8% 113 36.2% Cycle 2 0.6% 128 41% This results show that: Bus 0 0% 17 5.4% Taxi 1 0.3% 2 0.6% Car share 24 7.7% 14 4.5% (2 or more pupils from different families) Car (Single pupil) 117 37.5% 34 10.9% Other 0 0% 4 1.3% At present the majority of children walk to school, with 45% travelling in cars. As 83% live in Irchester, within a mile of the school, many local children are coming by car rather than by foot. Some reasons given for this were parents going onto work, taking older children to secondary school or having to carry a lot of equipment e.g. musical instruments. Their preferred transport is to cycle, with many of the children who currently walk or come by car saying it would be quicker and give them more independence. The preferred walking and cycling option means that over three quarters of the school population would prefer not to travel by motor transport. The other modes of transport desired by the children were scooter and horse! 3.2 Parents Survey; November 2014 The school ambassadors (Year 6 children) asked parents to fill in a travel survey during parents evening. Some parents only answered half the questionnaire which is why the number surveyed for the present mode of transport (125) is higher than those who gave their preferred options (94). There are 226 families in the school. ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 7
Present mode of travel Preferred mode of travel Mode Number % Number % Walk 79 63.2% 61 64.9% Cycle 5 4% 8 8.5% Bus 0 0% 1 1.1% Taxi 0 0% 1 1.1% Car share 4 3.2% 7 7.4% (2 or more pupils from different families) Car (Single pupil) 37 29.6% 16 17% Other 0 0% 0 0% Questions asked included: 1) How far did you travel to school (miles)? 2) How did you travel to school? 3) How would you prefer to travel to school? 4) Problems experienced in travelling to school 5) Would you consider a car share? 6) Problem areas on the route to school (location/problem) 7) Suggestions for improvement The results of the surveyed showed that: Overall there is not a huge demand from parents for alternative ways to bring their children to school. Suggestions for improvements include: Many suggestions were to restrict cars by the school entrance. The suggestions included using residents only bollards to block the entrance to School Lane for vehicles or making School Road / School Hill one way. Other suggestions were to extend the double yellow lines into School Road. ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 8
3.3 Staff Survey: November 2014 63 staff surveyed including 3 kitchen staff who work for the catering company. Present mode of travel Mode Number % Walk 18 28.6% Cycle 0 0 Bus 0 0 Taxi 0 0 Car share 3 4.8 (2 or more pupils from different families) Car (Single pupil) 42 66.7% Other 0 0 Two thirds of staff travel to school by car. All the teachers live outside Irchester. The main reason for travelling by car is the distance they live from the school. A small number do share cars. Of the 26 support staff who live in Irchester 9 said they drive because of time constraints, school runs, need to return home during the day or health reasons. The main barriers for other staff wishing to walk or cycle to school were the need to carry books, laptops and other equipment. Those that wished to cycle requested secure and dry bike storage. 3.4 Governors Survey: 2 nd December 2014 Ten governors were surveyed. 9 drove to the meeting and 1 cycled. How they travel to meetings depended on the time of day and the time of year. This survey was undertaken in winter in the evening. Reasons for driving to evening meetings were due to the weather and safety concerns walking at night. 3.4 Visitors Survey: Analysis of visitors book November 2014 The majority of parents visiting school walked as they live locally. Other visitors drove (teachers attending training / consultants / services and suppliers). Virtually all of the visitors parked outside the school staff car park either on School Lane or in the village hall car park. ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 9
4 Objectives and Targets 4.1 Travel Plan Objectives The overall objective of the Travel Plan is: To reduce the impact of travel to and from the school site on the environment, by encouraging those who have to travel to do so in a more sustainable way. The main objectives of the Travel Plan should provide benefits to: Individuals through improved health, reduced stress and monetary savings The school through healthier and more motivated pupils and staff, reduced traffic congestion on site and improved access to the site for the whole school community The local environment through improved local air quality, reduced noise pollution, lower levels of local congestion The wider environment as part of the national and global campaigns to combat more widespread problems, such as climate change and obesity. The Travel Plan objectives include the need to: Reduce to a minimum the number of single-occupancy car traffic movements to and from the school Increase the numbers of pupils and staff walking and cycling to school Enable staff and visitors to have an informed choice about their travel options Increase the road safety awareness of all pupils Promote and encourage more active travel to improve the health and well-being of the whole school community Contribute to reducing pressure on local road network, particularly at peak travel times Contribute to improving local air quality and reducing noise pollution 4.2 Actions achieved from previous plan 4.2.1 Retention of school crossing patrol officer 4.2.2 Bikeability training annually for all Year 5 and Year 6 pupils 4.2.3 Installation of remotely controlled pedestrian gate /CCTV for on site and waiting area security. 4.2.4 Car park gates to be closed during the school day 4.2.5 Zig-zag yellow lines painted outside school entrance ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 10
4.3 Travel Plan Targets Objective 1: Reduce to a minimum the number of single-occupancy car traffic movements to and from the school Targets From To Date for achievement Increase number of pupils walking to school (pupil survey) 54% 60% May /2015 Increase number of pupils cycling to school 0.6%% 5% Sept/205 Decrease the number of pupils coming to school in single occupancy cars 37.5%% 31%% Sept / 2015 Objective 2: Increase the numbers of pupils and staff walking and cycling to school Targets From To Date for achievement Increase number of staff walking and cycling 28.6% 35% Sept 2015 Objectives 3: Enable staff and visitors to have an informed choice about their travel options Targets From To Date for achievement Regular reminders to parents outlining potential dangers of driving / parking in School vicinity + promotion of STP Inconsistent Communication Every term Mar / 2015 Visitors and teachers attending CPD courses to be told to park in village hall or WMC car park and walk. High number park in School Lane Increased number par and walk Mar / 2015 ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 11
Objective 4: Increase the road safety awareness of all pupils and promote health and well-being of the whole community Targets From To Date for achievement Engage more parents & children in walk to school week 54% 60% May 2015 Pupils to have road safety education each year planned into school curriculum Biannual plans Annual plans Sept 2015 5 Proposed Measures Strategy Proposed measures Initiatives to support cycling Bikeability cycle training extended to include Y3&4 children as well as Y5 & 6 Pupil premium used to provide PP children with cycles to use for training and to borrow the weekend / holidays Cycle maintenance classes supported by sustran / local police Set down points identified at entrance to School Lane with appropriate signage Cycle shelter and secure storage point provided for staff and pupils A separate entrance with set down and step up signs at end of School Lane. Support PCC initiative (PCC minutes Nov 2014) to get cycle track on Wollaston Road and links with cycle routes Site design Additional pedestrian only gate Vehicular access only gates Secure, well-lit cycling parking Conveniently located facilities for storing outdoor wear, cycle equipment and foot scooters ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 12
Safe routes to school scheme On routes serving the school: Continue to fund raise and work with the parish council in order to retain the school patrol crossing officer As part of curriculum work identify my safe route to school. Safe cycling infrastructure Initiatives to support walking / park and walk To engage JRSOs in monitoring the parking of traffic at the beginning and end of the day. Warning letters issued Look at holding more governor meetings in daylight hours Teachers attending CPD course informed through booking form to park in Village hall / WMC and walk Promote Walk to School Week led by JRSO Support for car-sharing Promote car share scheme through points on a map who wants to share lifts? at parents evening Preferential parking for car sharers especially when building work reducing car park size. Managing car use Parking restrictions outside school entrance; monitored by JRSO and PSCO Encourage parents to park in working men s club and walk up to school. Have timed drop of signs put up in working men s club car park Education and awareness-raising Pupil and parent consultation to identify safety issues on school route through specific questions on annual survey Inclusion of school travel in induction booklet for new parents and pupils Curriculum work on school travel backed by teaching resource School travel work highlighted in newsletters, letters home, assemblies and leaflets Walk to school week competition ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 13
6. Timetable of Implementation Objective 1: Reduce to a minimum the number of single-occupancy car traffic movements to and from the school Target: Increase number of pupils walking to school (pupil survey) from 54% to 60% Decrease the number of pupils coming to school in single occupancy cars from 37.5% to 31% Actions Responsi -bility Time scale No. Description Start- End 1 Promote car share scheme through points on a map who wants to share lifts? at parents evening to provide information on suitable car share members HT / Govs Mar 2015 2 To retain school crossing patrol officer HT liaise with Parish council On going Success Criteria single occupancy cars decreases from 37.5% to 31% School is able to fundraise at least 750 a year to support salary Monitoring and Evaluation Annual travel survey Updates from parish council minutes Timescale Resp. Resources Mar 2015 HT / Govs Large map print out cost and information sharing On going HT Fundraising activities to generate at least 750 donation to parish council annually 3 Encourage parents to park in working men s club and walk up to school. Have timed drop of signs put up in car park HT SBM Site supervisor Jan 2015 Metal signs erected in working men s club car park Liaise with working men s club to monitor use Sept 2015 HT SBM School budget funding 500 Objective 2 : Increase the numbers of pupils and staff walking and cycling to school Target : Increase number of pupils cycling to school from 0.6% to 5% Actions Resp. Timescale Success Criteria Monitoring and Evaluation Timescale Resp. Funding N Description Start- End Resources o. 1 To engage JRSOs in monitoring the parking of traffic at the beginning and end of the day. Warning letters issued. Launch Road safety Heroes AP JRSO PSCO Jan 2015 ongoing termly Parking is safer. Reduction in number of complaints from local residents Report by JRSOs termly AP JRSO Release time for AP Linked time working with PSCO Photocopying costs ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 14
2 To enable more children and staff to cycle safely to school. Have a separate entrance with set down and step up signs at end of School Lane. Safe storage of bikes. Provide bikes and training for Y3/4 disadvantaged pupils 3 Through linked curriculum, children to explore safety needs of journey to School eg/seatbelts/ PB training / safety/ hi-vis clothing etc HT SBM GOVs Sch Council PSHEC coordin ator + all staff Include in plans for building work from Sept 15 to Sept 16 onwards New national curriculu m Sept 2014 ongoing 20% + children cycle daily to school. Separate safe entrance in place and bike racks used Increased awareness of personal safety / issues. 25% pupils wear hi-vis clothing by Nov 07 Count bikes in racks Regular servicing and cycle checking events supported by sustran S Council report to Linked Governor who reports to FGB building work from Sept 15 to Sept 16 Bikeability Spring 2015 New building Project team Govs HT DHT Provide cycle racks 1,000 Step down signs 200 Pupil premium 500 Sept 14 GB Pupil premium used to subsidise purchase of Hi Vis clothing Objective 3 : Enable staff and visitors to have an informed choice about their travel options Target : More consistent, obvious and frequent information sharing Actions Resp. Timescale Success Criteria Monitoring and Evaluation Timescale Resp. Funding No. Description Start- End Resources 1 Regular (termly) reminders to parents outlining potential dangers of driving / parking in School vicinity + promotion of STP HT/ Govs Jan 2015 - ongoing Raised awareness. Evidence in newsletters termly. Feedback / Comments from parents termly HT / SBM Information on website 2 Visitors and teachers attending CPD courses to be told to park in village hall or WMC car park and walk. SBM SLE office Jan 2015 Higher number of visitors and trainees use WMC and Village hall car parks Add where did you park? to visitors signing in book and course feedback Review end of each seasonal term SBM office staff Change course publication material and put information on new website ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 15
Objective 4 : Increase the road safety awareness of all pupils and promote health and well-being of the whole community Target : Increase number of pupils walking to school (pupil survey) from 54% to 60% Road safety within the curriculum to be taught annually rather than biannually in 2 year rolling programme. Actions Resp. Timescale Success Criteria Monitoring and Evaluation Timescale Resp. Funding N Description Start- End Resources o. 1 Through linked curriculum, children to explore safety needs of journey to School eg/seatbelts/ PB training / safety/ hivis Sch Council PSHEC coordin ator + New national curriculum Sept 2014 ongoing Increased awareness of personal safety / issues. 25% pupils wear hi-vis S Council report to Linked Governor who reports to FGB Plans in place from review of curriculum sept 2015 GB Pupil premium used to subsidise purchase of Hi Vis clothing clothing etc all staff clothing by Nov 07 2 Engage in National Campaign eg Walk To Weeks (May and October) Involve sports leaders PSHEC JRSO lead May 2015 More children walking and participation in national events School Council and Newspaper report Hands up surveys May and October AP / JRSO Stickers / rewards for completing a week of walking. ICPS School Travel Plan Jan 2015 16
CONSULTATION Pupils through surveys November 2014 Parents through surveys November 2014 and termly newsletters Staff through surveys November 2014 Local residents November 2014 School Council meetings : Monthly Parish Council discussion November 2014 Sustrans local officer & Vic Marks May 2014 Local Community Police: from 2012 regularly through JRSO link Governors : December 2014 MONITORING AND REVIEW The next survey will take place in November 2015 and annually thereafter with specific questions relating to traffic plan success criteria included on the annual comprehensive whole school survey to parents and staff. Information on visitors travelling to the school will be included through analysis of sign in question re how did you travel to ICPS? and question on training feedback sheets. Survey of the pupils will be undertaken by the JRSO and school council annually prior to the November parent and staff survey, in order to give the governors a comprehensive overview of impact. The results of the survey will be reviewed by the Governing Body at the next meeting after the publication of results. Review of the STP to be on the annual programme of governance. Signed: Head Teacher Chair of Governors Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 17
Appendices NCC school admission booklet 2015 Irchester Community Primary School s linked area is Irchester only. Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 18
Appendix 2: The Zebra crossing across Wollaston Road which is manned by the lollipop lady before and after school. On the right is the car park for the working men s club. Entrance to School Lane on the left just after the Doctor s surgery. The surgery has no patient parking. Village hall and car park on the right, where preschool is held daily. Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 19
Entrance to School Lane Single pedestrian entrance to school grounds and vehicular entrance, controlled by electronically operated security gates. Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 20
Steps at beginning of footpath leading from Baker s Crescent to top of School Lane. Cycle routes near Irchester Community Primary School Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 21
Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 22
Bikeability Training Level 1 and Level 2 Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 23
Bus route X46 / 47 Bus timetable Daily am Daily pm Irchester Community Primary School Travel Plan December 2014 24