Kingswood Primary School s Travel Plan Kingswood Primary School Cayser Drive Kingswood Maidstone Kent ME17 3QF 01622 842674 DCSF number 886-2578 Travel Plan Co-ordinator- Darren Waters ( headofschool@kingswood.kent.sch.uk) 1
Contents Page 1. Introduction to the school 2. School travel issues 3. Travel surveys 4. Targets and objectives 5. Action plan 6. Grant information 7. Consultation, Evidence and the Travel Plan Action Team 8. Monitoring and Review 9. Approval signatures 2
Introduction to the school We are a small village primary school, in a rural location near Maidstone in Kent. The pupils range in age from 4-11 years. We have five mixed age classes, with eight full and part time teachers. We also have 13 teaching assistants, a head of school, 4 midday meal supervisors, a caretaker, two cleaners, a secretary and a clerical support assistant. There are currently 132 children on role. 6 have a statement of special needs, one of which is a physical disability. Our catchment area, is quite wide, please see the attached postcode maps. Many of our children live in the village, but there are a significant number from further a field. The children are able to come in to the school site from 8.45am when the gates open and school starts. The children are collected from school at 3.15pm, parents have access to the site from 3.10pm. We have after school clubs that run every day of the week, throughout the year. These finish between 4-4.30pm. The school is located within a quiet estate, with the entrance being on Bushy Grove. We have a small staff car park, with approximately ten spaces. The school is near to a public bus route; however there is a very limited service with only 3 or 4 buses travelling to the village. There is no train station in the village. There are no cycle routes. The school has achieved the healthy schools award, an active mark, the bronze eco schools award. We are currently involved in the Walk on Wednesday (WOW) scheme. 3
A location map showing Kingswood Primary School 4
School Travel Issues These are the reasons we are completing a school travel plan We want more children to walk or cycle to and from school safely. It is healthier for the children and the environment. To reduce the number of car journeys undertaken, and to encourage park and stride for those who live a considerable distance away. To consider the practicalities of a walking bus We want to improve the safety of our children by removing the dangers of being in a car and possibly getting in and out of the car on the road side. And the problems we would like to address.. Car parking congestion as reported by the parents trying to park near the school Other traffic using the roads causing safety concerns, because of cars travelling at unacceptable speeds Cars parked that are blocking residents drives, or routes of access, as reported by neighbouring houses A small minority of parents who use the hashed area in the entrance of the school as a dropping off zone. Resources. We do not have a crossing patrol We have taken part in the walk on Wednesday scheme, which has enabled an increase in the number of children at school who either walk or drive and stride to school. Trips to swimming and other venues are usually made by hired coach, although we have introduced a car share scheme for more local venues Walking trips are also undertaken through out the year, there is one road in the village that only has a path part of the way, and this can limit our route. And in more detail Walking The school would like more children to walk to and from school safely, for several reasons, to encourage health and wellbeing, decrease parking around the school, and to teach children about road safety. We are taking part in Walk on Wednesday, which has increased the number of children who walk to school. However some drivers, who drive above the speed limit and some inconsiderate parking is causing a danger to pedestrians. It was also raised through the survey that some parts of the village do not have safe footpaths, and this can be a barrier to walking to school. 5
This photo shows a popular route to school which has safe footpaths. This shows another route to school where the footpath stops, this also forms part of one of the main roads into the village. Cars The school has a small car park for staff and visitors. Parents therefore have to park outside the school gates. The school is surrounded by residential housing and so there is little space. We have received complaints about parents blocking drive ways. However, it was also raised through the surveys that local residents, will sometimes park on the pavement, causing danger to pedestrians. Through the use of WOW we have encouraged the park and stride initiative. The limited parking available outside the school, which can cause problems for neighbouring houses 6
The entrance to the school, which has no safety railings and the road directly outside which has no speed reduction signs or crossing options. Cycling One member of staff currently cycles to school, during a recent staff survey said that the reason they don t is because it is not practical due to either distance travelled or heavy objects that need to be carried. A small number of children cycle to school, but the school cycle storage is old, rusty and quite dangerous. There are no designated cycle routes in Kingswood or the surrounding area. 7
Kingswood Primary School, Maidstone National Cycle Route Key National Cycle Network on-road route Other signed on-road cycle route National Cycle Network traffic-free route (including some forest tracks and paths alongside busy roads) Other traffic-free cycle route Proposed future National Cycle Network route Access points Warning: click for more details Other features (as shown at smaller scales) Motorway A-Road B-Road Waterway National Rail Network 8
Bus No body currently travels by bus. This is because there are not regular buses to the village and no routes between the villages that our pupils travel from. There are bus stops near to the school but the issue is the infrequency of the buses. Kingswood Primary School, Maidstone Local Bus Stops 9
Rail No staff or children travel to school by train; this is because there are no train stations within walking distance. Kingswood Primary School Nearest Rail Stations School trips When we take the children on a school trip, we usually travel by coach. This can cause a problem as the roads leading to the school are very narrow. The above transport issues were collected through surveys and discussions with pupils, parents, staff and the local community. They have also been agreed by the travel plan working group. 10
Kingswood Primary School Arrows denote popular routes to school Kingswood Primary School popular routes to school 11
Hands up survey This took place in May 2016 In our classes, 125 pupils were present and 7 were absent. Results of Hands up Travel Survey How pupils currently travel to school How pupils would prefer to travel to school Number % Number % Walk 46 38% 38 30% Car 28 22% 15 12% Park & Stride 27 21% 35 28% Car share 2 1% 2 1% Rail 0 0% 0 0% Bus 0 0% 0 0% Cycle 7 6% 13 10% Scooter 15 12% 22 19% Other 0 0% 0 0% Total 125 100% 125 100% 12
Parent s survey Results of parent survey How does your child usually travel to/from school? number percentage by car with an adult only 2 4% by car with adult and other children 7 15% Park & Stride (initially by car then walk part distance 4 9% walks alone 3 6% walks with other children 0 0% walks with an adult 13 28% walks with an adult and other children 7 15% by bike 3 6% by scooter 7 15% by bus 0 0% Total 46 100% 98 surveys were sent home in May 2016. 46 surveys were returned. This is a 47% return. How would your child like to travel to/from school? number percentage by car with an adult only 0 0% by car with adult and other children 2 4% Park & Stride (initially by car then walk part distance 1 2% walks alone 4 9% walks with other children 6 13% walks with an adult 5 11% walks with an adult and other children 8 17% by bike 8 17% by scooter 12 26% by bus Total 46 100% 13
Comments from parents A Park and Stride system we live too far away to walk or cycle. Walking bus is a good idea. Safer crossing the road in front of the school, as parked cars and parents stopping to let their children get out the car make it difficult to see if it is safe to cross. Footpaths all the way would make it safer. We would happily walk/cycle in good weather if the lane was safe. All existing road-markings to be repainted on a regular basis, some are non-existent due to resurfacing works. Maybe an extra child s crossing sign nearer the end of Chestnut drive. Cars park correctly on roads surrounding the school, not breaking the law. I would like a crossing or speed bumps to slow people down. Cars park too close to junctions and on pavements. Cleaner pathways to school; Holly Tree close is always filthy with dogs mess. I would like to see a parking restriction extended to the whole of Bushy Grove. Safer crossing at Cayser Drive. Safer crossing facilities outside school, unsupervised children playing by the entrance will result in an accident. Speed restrictions of cars on main Lenham Road. 14
Staff Travel Survey All the staff completed their survey, 28 were handed out with a 100% return. This was carried out in May 2016. Staff travel survey How staff currently travel to school Number Percentage Walk 5 18% Car 18 64% Rail 0 0% Cycle 1 4% Bus 0 0% Car share 4 14% Total 28 100% How staff would like to travel to school Number Percentage Walk 10 35% Car 10 35% Rail 0 0% Cycle 3 11% Bus 0 0% Car share 5 19% Total 28 100% Issues raised by staff Would walk if I had nothing to carry and if there were better footpaths Would change mode of transport, if there was a better bus service and roads with street lights Would consider car sharing if colleagues lived closer and did the same hours Would change mode of transport if there were between links between Maidstone and Kingswood Could not change mode of transport, as need car with me, in case of emergency with my parents or children I cannot really change the way I get to school because of the distance I travel Would change mode of transport if there was a cheap efficient transport network, with better links Would change mode of transport if meetings were held local to school Nothing could be done to encourage me to change my mode of transport 15
Targets and Objectives The overall objectives of this travel plan; 1. To promote safe routes for pedestrians and to encourage children to walk to school 2. To encourage park and stride for those families who travel into the village, from other parts of Maidstone 3. To reduce the number of car journeys to school, and the congestion this causes in the surrounding areas 4. To promote good relationships with our community 5. Investigate the possibility of a walking bus, to be run within the community. 6. To improve the safety of our children on the roads surrounding our school From the survey results a number of targets have been identified 1. Introduce the idea of car sharing to parents and increase this from 0% in May 2016 to 10% by September 2017 2. Improve pupil s awareness of travel options, and their road safety education, increasing the number of pupils cycling/scooter to school from 18% in May 2016 to 36% by September 2017 3. Improve the safety of the pupils on the roads surrounding the school by investigating the possibility of railings, signs, speed bumps and crossing options. These objectives and targets will be reviewed annually and updated as appropriate. The success of the travel plan will be determined by the results of the annual surveys in May/June 2016 and September 2017. Action Plan Action Lead Person Others involved Continue with Sharon walk on Serrecchia Wednesday for Admin support 2016/2017 assistant Investigate (and launch) walking bus scheme in September 2016 Upgrade cycle storage and /or Darren Waters Travel plan co-ordinator Darren Waters Travel plan Year 6 WOW monitors; Assistant Headteacher Sharon Serrecchia Admin support assistant Sharon Serrecchia By which date? Continue to July 2017 By January 2017 By April 2017 Completed? 16
scooter storage co-ordinator Admin support assistant Improve road safety aware ness by: Investigating the possibility of railings, signs, speed bumps and crossing options. Increasing opportunities for road safety education Sharon Serrecchia Admin support assistant Parents, local residents, Introduce through the newsletter the idea of car sharing To communicate the school travel plan to all stakeholders Sam Knight School secretary Sam Knight school secretary Darren Waters Travel plan co-ordinator Darren Waters Travel plan co-ordinator By July 2017 By September 2016 By December 2016 17
Grant information We expect to receive a grant of 4000 and 5 per pupil. Our pupil numbers currently stand at 132, so we expect to receive 4660. We are planning to spend our funding on a bicycle shelter and a scooter rack, which would enable the children to cycle or scoot to school, support for setting up and launching walking bus and park and stride initiatives and for increasing the road safety education of our pupils. These suggestions were taken from our annual parents questionnaire. BXMW/SJ Sofco Junior Features: The Sofco Junior is a child friendly cycle shelter that caters for small two-wheeled cycles as well as trikes. The shelters eye catching leaf shaped end panels make it an ideal space saving cycle shelter. Cyclist safety is enhanced due to the ClearView PET panels, reducing the risk of cycle theft and loitering. This shelter is highly recommended where CCTV operates, offering extra protection to junior cyclists. Delivered fully assembled. Optional Extras: A variety of bright, colourful graphics are available for end and back panels (please speak to a Sales Advisor) Construction: Constructed of circular hollow section welded steel, galvanized to BS EN ISO 1461:1999, with ClearView PET end and back/roof cladding Capacity: A standard single unit can house up to 8 cycles and up to 4 trikes depending on choice of cycle rack 2,250.00 (Guide Price Only) 18
Consultation and the Action Team The Travel Plan Action Team Miss Emma Hickling Executive Headteacher Mr Darren Waters Head of School Mr John Hoadly Chair of governors Mrs Sam Knight School secretary Mrs Sharon Serrecchia Admin support- Year 6 pupils - WOW monitors Mrs Victoria Waterworth Assistant Headteacher Monitoring and Review The travel plan will need to be reviewed annually and monitored regularly starting in May 2016, this will be part of the school improvement plan. The head of school will be responsible for leading this with the support of Emma Hickling, executive headteacher. A hands up survey will take place annually starting in May 2016, in order to feed into the school census each January. This will be led by Darren Waters, head of school, but will be carried out by the class teachers. This review will include all pupils needs arising from new developments in education and transport; also the plan will be reviewed as necessary should the school submit a planning application 19
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