SEFTON Council has been holding Scooter Skills training sessions in primary schools across the borough as part of the School Streets programme. Scooting is a popular way for children to use sustainable and active travel to get to school.

So far in Sefton, over 90 pupils have benefited from a Scooter Skills session, learning the benefits as well as how to stay safe when scootering to school.

As part of the initiative, Sefton Council bought 20 Micro Scooters and helmets to give out as prizes at participating schools, as well as keeping six to enable the continuous roll out of the training sessions at other schools across the borough.

Local schools held competitions to win the scooters, encouraging entries on the theme of road safety, from posters, collages, and creative writing pieces. Schools involved included All Saints Catholic Primary School, Summerhill Primary School, Bedford Primary School and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said:- “These are great training sessions that have been developed to teach pupils how to scoot safely and therefore encourage them to scoot to school. Benefits include being fit and healthy, reducing congestion on the school run and making the journey safer and more enjoyable.“

The Sefton School Streets programme works to find ways to reduce pollution and congestion outside schools, as well as improve road safety. 49% of UK school pupils surveyed by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust worried about air pollution near their school. 

Measures including implementing a school street, a park and stride and encouraging active travel helps reduce pollution around the school gates. Travelling actively to school also improves young people’s mood and improves focus in the classroom.

Click here to find out more about the School Streets and Neighbourhood initiatives in Sefton.