Walkwise Child Pedestrian Training

What is Walkwise?

'Walkwise' is a child pedestrian training scheme for children who are aged six to seven years old and are in Year Two at primary school.

What does it involve?

The best place to teach road safety is the local road environment. All training takes place on routes around the school that have been risk assessed by the Road Safety Team. Volunteer tutors, who have undergone training, instruct children at the roadside how to cope with traffic in different situations.

When does training take place?

Training takes place during school time when traffic around the school will be less busy. Each training session lasts between 15 to 20 minutes and there are five stages to be completed, this means that each child receives regular instruction. The complexity of the training increases at a rate to suit the individual, however every child completes Steps One through to Step 30.

What are the benefits?

Ultimately the training aims to improve children’s perception of speed and distance, to increase awareness of sound and sight and to help children to discover for themselves safe practices.

Most adults take their environment for granted; crossing the street is based on years of experience leading to a well-developed knowledge of traffic. Young children lack this experience and may have had little chance to develop these skills. We need to help children to learn about how traffic moves around the streets and what they should look out for when crossing the road. It is important that parents reinforce the training as children learn from the examples set by their family and friends.

What is done to ensure the children’s safety?

The Road Safety Team, in partnership with the school, appoints volunteer Walkwise tutors. All tutors receive thorough training from the Road Safety Team and are continually monitored to ensure a high standard of training is maintained. A member of the Road Safety Team is always on hand to offer support and advice to every volunteer tutor. All tutors undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check.

The routes identified around the school for the training sessions are risk assessed by a Road Safety Officer and fluorescent yellow jackets are provided by the Road Safety Team and must be worn by all tutors and children when training takes place.

The Road Safety Team is informed of the date and time of each training session to ensure the Council's public liability insurance covers all training sessions being held throughout the course.

How can I get involved?

The scheme is dependent on volunteers giving up a little of their time to train the children. Many volunteers have found the training very rewarding and have stayed with the scheme for a number of years. Comments from current tutors:

If you are interested in becoming a tutor please contact your local school or the Road Safety Team. Your help and support is vital to the success of the scheme.

Walkwise Register [19 KB]

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