Birdsedge First School Eco-Schools and travel plan

I have been a governor at Birdsedge First School, representing the Parish Council, for several years now. I was invited to a meeting tonight (17/1/08) about the eco-schools initiative, and to help with the formation of the travel plan. I was really pleased that lots of children and parents were there too, all taking an active part in the meeting. This means that people really support the ideas, and the children will learn from the project, thereby making it truely sustainable.

The travel plan is an important part of the eco-schools initiative as this aims to reduce the number of car journeys to school, thereby reducing pollution. This will be a challenging project as only 15% of pupils attending the school live in the village, therefore most pupils (currently 82%) travel by car.

The plan is still being developed, but initiatives are already underway to meet an initial target of reducing car journeys by 5%. Children, parents and the local community are being involved at every stage, as was shown at the meeting. Surveys of residents, children and parents have taken place and are already feeding into the plan and actions taking place. Discussions took place about the main road being very dangerous, and people expressed strong wishes for traffic to be slowed by 30mph limits and flashing signs. Initiatives discussedfor the travel plan included:

1. Walking bus. Here parents are trained to escort children to school, and the children wear something reflective so they are easilly seen. Three parents have started operating this, which allows parents to drop children off at a set point away from school, thus reducing congestion around the gates. This will be appreciated by local residents, it helps children learn roadsense and encourages walking over car use. There has been a high volume of cars trying to pick up on Birdsedge Lane, which is narrow, and some parents just drive round in circles until their children come out. At the meeting it was said that it was operating successfully, drivers were slowing down and passing them widely, and that perhaps more children would join in the summer when it was warmer. Children at the meeting said they didn't like waiting outside in the rain till school opened, as the walking bus always arrives before school opens, so its timing will be adjusted. Also a shelter will be considered.
2. Car sharing. It was felt this would be effective, as people could take turns to drive. Many people pass near other's houses on their way to school. An official scheme has not yet been implemented, but ideas are being discussed and developed. Ideas included rewarding children who car share, and setting asside a special area for them to park in when dropping off.
3. Cycling. A few children sometimes cylcle to school with close parental supervision. Cyle lockers were discussed as some money is available to spend relating to the travel plan.
4. Buses. Parents expressed a wish for a service specially for children, so they would not need to come with them, as busses to return home are few and far between. Also timings of existing busses could be changed to suit school times, although young children could not travel on these on their own.

Eco-schools is a framework to help schools become more sustainable. Schools work towards bronze, then silver then green awards (www.eco-schools.org.uk) and do so as part of an international group of schools working towards education for sustainable development. Birdsedge First School is now working towards the bronze award, and the children are keen to achieve this.

A basic action plan has been introduced to achieve the bronze award, and ideas have been put forward for the silver award and green flag. These were discussed at the meeting. Ideas included an environment day, an eco code, assemblies, outdoor learning, a website to log onto and discuss ideas without using paper, and a school cookery club which will use veg grown in school. An energy audit has taken place, and issues raised are being investigated. There is currently a problem with the heating system in school as rooms are either too hot or too cold. Wind power would be a good demonstation project for renewable energy, especially due to weather conditions at Birdsedge!