School Streets Headteacher Guidance
A School Street can only be successful with support from the school. Schools play a crucial role in promoting the School Street, supporting behaviour change and helping the scheme become part of everyday school life. This guidance outlines the practical actions headteachers and school staff can take before launch and throughout the delivery of a scheme.
More guidance is available in the step-by-step guide for schools: School Streets Guide for Schools
1. Be a visible champion
The strongest School Streets are those actively supported by school leadership. Headteachers can help by:
Communicating the purpose of the School Street regularly highlighting that they help keep children safe
Reinforcing the benefits for pupil safety, health and wellbeing
Sharing updates through newsletters, social media and parent and carer communications
Repeating key messages at the start of the academic year and when welcoming new families
Being clear about what a School Street can and cannot achieve. School Streets are effective at reducing the traffic outside the school gate, but they are not a solution to every transport challenge. Clear messaging helps reduce misunderstanding.
Top tip: Highlight the wider benefits such as safer journeys to school, improved air quality, more independence for pupils and better opportunities for children to socialise and play.
2. Build support from the school community
School Streets work best when everyone understands why they are in place.
Consider:
Informing staff and governors about the scheme
Sharing information with parents and carers
Including School Streets updates in newsletters
Keeping residents informed through letter drops
Working closely with your local authority, who can provide guidance, expertise and support
Top tip: Focus conversations on child safety and creating more pleasant school environments
3. Encourage walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting to school
A School Street is most effective when delivered alongside other activities that promote active travel. Schools can support this by:
Promoting active modes of travel such as walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school
Setting up a bike or walking bus
Sharing information about any suitable Park and Stride locations or request a bespoke school travel map highlighting 5-minute and 10-minute walking zones (hyperlink to Bespoke school travel maps’ Support for schools | TfGM Bee Active)
Delivering active travel and road safety assemblies
Celebrating pupils that travel actively
4. Prepare for common questions
School staff members, parents and residents may have questions when a School Street is introduced. Common topics include:
Access arrangements - residents, businesses and exempt vehicles can still access the street when required but through traffic and school-run traffic are discourage from driving directly to the school gates. Access arrangements are put in place ensuring residents and other exempt users can continue to access their properties
Exemptions and permits- local arrangements are made to ensure residents and other exempt users can continue to access the street where required
School Streets are designed to accommodate accessibility requirements
5. Keep the momentum going
School Streets require ongoing promotion, particularly at the start of the new academic year when there are new pupils at the school. Ways to keep engagement high include:
Sending termly reminders to parents and carers
Refresher assemblies for pupils
Including information on School Streets in new starter packs
Celebrating milestones such as School Streets anniversary events and linking to national campaigns
6. Other benefits of a School Street
School Streets can support wider learning opportunities such as:
Road safety education
Active travel campaigns
Air quality learning
Climate Action Plans
Modeshift STARS accreditation
Pupil leadership opportunities
Top tip: Give pupils a meaningful role and invite pupils to act as ambassadors for walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling.
7. Share your success
Your experience can help inspire other schools across Greater Manchester. Consider sharing:
Pupil quotes and feedback
Travel survey results
Photos from events and celebrations
Case studies and lessons learned