News for pre-school and primary teachers!

January 09

EVENTS 09: REGISTER AND DIARY NOW!!!

Brake’s giant Walking Bus event is happening on Wednesday 17 June 2009. We are hoping it will be the biggest ever, and beat our last world record of thousands of children walking all at the same time, on the same day, in giant crocodiles. Great opportunity to tag on road safety lessons, gets the kids out, and is a brilliant way to raise your school’s profile and the importance of local traffic ‘slowing down’ through your local media, as well as raise funds to support families bereaved by road crashes. Call Katie or Helen now on 01484 559909 to register to take part and get your free resources, including posters and stickers, or go to http://www.brake.org.uk and click on educator for more info.

Walk to School Week is happening 18-22 May 2009, and is a great way to promote your School Travel Plan and walking. If your Local Authority doesn’t send you free Walk to School Week resources in advance of the week, get in touch with them now to see if they can! To find out more go to the Walk to School Week website, run by the walking environmental charity Living Streets at http://www.walktoschool.org.uk

Beep Beep! Day is Brake’s special one day road safety event designed for pre-schoolers and key stage one. You can run a Beep Beep! Day on any day of the year and, thanks to sponsorship from Churchill Insurance, you get Brake’s FREE road safety resources for kids, including a height chart, stickers, and posters, as well as on-line tips for teachers on road safety lessons to run during your day. We ask you to also use the day to help raise sponsorship for Brake’s services for families bereaved by road crashes. Call Katie or Helen now on 01484 559909 to register for your free resource pack, or go to http://www.brake.org.uk and click on educator for more info!

NEW DOWNLOADS AND WEBSITES FOR KIDS AND TEACHERS

Tales of the Road is the Government’s brand new website for children, emphasising through games and info the consequences of taking risks on roads when on foot. Go to http://www.talesoftheroad.direct.gov.uk

The Children’s Plan, the over-arching policy plan from the Department for Children, Schools and Families which prioritises the safety of children and young people as one of its key objectives, has created a series of fact sheets, including info on the importance of safe play areas in communities. Follow this link…

POLICY STUFF AND CAMPAIGNING

The first national Play Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to improve and develop play facilities for children throughout the country, including investing £235m in new play areas and encouraging local authorities to build 20mph zones in communities to protect children. 20mph zones can reduce child pedestrian deaths by 70%. Download the Play Strategy here and quote it to your Local Authority if you are campaigning for lower speed limits, crossings, pedestrian or cycle training, or play facilities in your community.