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School travel plans 2023/24

This service is available for academies, maintained schools and other schools and settings.

School travel plans deliver transport strategy that supports sustainable travel and road safety education.

School Streets close the streets around schools to most traffic at opening and closing times.

The main aim of the school travel team is to support schools to reduce car use and increase sustainable modes of travel for the school journey, leading to reduced congestion, improvements in air quality and the health and well-being of the Ealing community.

This is achieved through the delivery of a wide range of projects, provision of training and road safety engineering.

  • Reduce congestion by encouraging people to leave their cars at home and travel to school by more sustainable means
  • Improving the local environment by reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality
  • Improve community links working together towards the common goal of making the journey to school a safer and healthier one
  • Reduce obesity by being active on the school journey
  • More alert children by increasing children's exercise in the morning helps them be more alert and ready to learn when they arrive at school
  • Increase pupil’s sense of road safety through training programmes and participation in sustainable travel
  • Increase pupil participation by encouraging them to take part and take responsibility for road safety within the school
  • It’s fun! Surveys show that children want to travel by sustainable means. Walking, scooting and cycling are fun ways of travelling to school

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm

  • Increased levels of walking and cycling for the school journey, to improve pupil health and reduce congestion.
  • Organising campaigns, competitions, challenges and incentive schemes.
  • Development of resources to support schools in tackling school related congestion, parking problems and road safety issues.
  • More schools receiving and maintaining school travel plan accreditation (Travel for Life - formerly known as STARS).
  • Delivering School Streets at 50 schools by March 2026.

School travel plans help schools plan, promote and monitor active, responsible and safe travel for the school journey to reduce car use and congestion and improve air quality, health and well-being.

To encourage Ealing schools to get involved in the school travel plan initiative we:

  • Support schools in identifying and implementing useful sustainable travel and road safety initiatives
  • Support schools to develop and implement a school travel plan, which outlines their commitment to improving sustainable travel options within their area
  • Work with schools to identify student's issues related to travel and propose different routes and methods to get to school.
  • Provide schools with resources to encourage students and staff to use safer, healthier and environmentally friendly ways to get to and from school
  • Assist schools to improve sustainable transport and road safety within their local areas working closely with other services to promote healthy lifestyles and bring about behavioural change.

The range of initiatives and activities offered to schools includes:

  • Workshops to develop robust school travel plans
  • Bikeability - cycle training
  • Active travel challenges and competitions
  • Road safety materials
  • TfL Explorer and Pioneer Ambassadors scheme.

School Streets are schemes where the roads near a school are closed to traffic at school opening and closing times. Closing the roads to school and through traffic helps to achieve a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone using the streets whilst maintaining access for residents within the zone, and all pedestrians and cyclists.

Our current programme includes delivery of School Streets to targeted schools according to an agreed selection criteria. This includes those that are working with us and engaged in the TfL STARS accreditation scheme.

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What is accreditation?

STAR is a strategic framework that encourages and rewards school to adopt safe and active travel behaviour. The London School Travel Plan Accreditation Scheme was created in 2007 to set a recognised standard for schools with travel plans that not only promote safe and active travel but achieve it as well. The scheme has three levels;

  • Sustainable
  • Higher Standards
  • Outstanding

The accreditation scheme has the following objectives:

  • To target schools in London that have impact on the road network in terms of congestion, safety and public transport delay to meet the minimum standard to become accredited for travel activity
  • To guide and encourage schools to deliver against core TfL aims to increase walking and cycling levels and reduce the number of collisions involving young people on London roads
  • To encourage schools to work independently as a community and to commit to monitoring and evaluating travel activity through an online toolkit

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School travel support

Have your say on the Post-16 transport policy statement for September 2023 – this sets out the travel support available for young people of sixth form age to attend education or training from September 2023. Complete the survey and let us know what you think about our statement or contact us on 020 7364 4435. 

Travel assistance for children and young people in school and sixth form/college

Transport for London (TfL) operates a scheme of free and/or discounted travel for children under the age of 18 in full-time education in the following table:

Please visit Free and discounted travel - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) or call the Oyster helpline on 0343 222 1234 for further information and advice on concessions and how to apply for a Zip card.

The Council expects residents to make use of concessions offered by TfL. If you require support that is not met by free public transport or other alternatives, you can make an application to Pupil Services for travel assistance.

Travel assistance for children in primary and secondary school

Who is eligible.

The council has a duty to make travel arrangements as considered necessary in order to facilitate the school attendance of an ‘eligible’ [1]  child. 

The child must be registered at a ‘qualifying school’ [2] .

 Eligible children are those of compulsory school age (5-16) who meet the following criteria:

1. Statutory walking distance - children who are attending a school that is beyond two miles for a pupil under the age of 8 or three miles for children ages 8 or over

2. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem - children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to SEND, including temporary medical conditions. If your child has an education, health or care plan (EHCP) you should contact the SEN team to find out more about school travel for children with SEND.

Tel: 020 7364 5000 - Email  [email protected]

3. Unsafe route - children who cannot be reasonably be expected to walk to school because of the nature of the route

4. Extended rights eligibility - children entitled to free school meals or those whose parents are in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit and:

  • the school is beyond two miles (for children over the age of 8 and under 11)
  • the school is between2 and 6 miles (if aged 11-16 and there are no suitable nearer schools)
  • The school is between 2 and 15 miles and is the nearest preferred on the grounds of religion or belief (aged 11-16)

We will also consider whether there are any medical reasons affecting the parent/carer's ability to accompany the child to and from school along a walking route which can be considered safe.

Children will usually only be eligible for travel assistance if the council cannot offer a place at a suitable alternative school. Therefore please ensure that you have made an application to your local schools before applying for travel assistance.

[1] Schedule 35B of the Education Act 1996, as inserted by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the EIA 2006)

[2] Section 508B(10) of the Education Act 1996, as inserted by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the EIA 2006).

Travel assistance for students in further education (16-18+ year olds)

The council also provides travel assistance to enable young people (over 16) in further education to access and attend the education and training of their choice.

Young people can apply for travel assistance if they meet the following criteria: 

  • are a resident of Tower Hamlets
  • are aged 16-18 or a 'continuing learner' who started their course before their 19th birthday
  • are attending a full-time course in a maintained school sixth form/college or other establishment. Assistance is not provided to students attending private (independent) fee paying establishments
  • are attending the nearest maintained establishment at which the course, or the majority of the course is offered (i.e. at least 50% of the course). If the young person is attending a specialist course, this must be one that ends with a nationally recognised vocational qualification such as BTEC or NVQ
  • the establishment is over three miles from the young person’s home address
  • their parents’ taxable income was £18,210 or less in the last financial year

If the young person has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you may be eligible for support from the SEN team (contact details above).

Additional information

  • It can take up to 30 days for your application to be processed.
  • You must be resident in Tower Hamlets to apply for travel assistance and be able to provide us with proof of your address i.e. recent Council Tax bill.
  • You must be registered at the 'qualifying school', learning or training provider and provide proof of registration if necessary
  • You should provide all the necessary supporting information with your application. Any delays or failure to provide this information will affect the outcome of your application
  • Please refer to the application form and guidance notes for further details (See below).

Read the council’s travel assistance policy .

How do I apply?

You can download the form or contact Pupil Services on 020 7364 5006 for a hard copy.

Please view the guidance notes  before completing the application. 

If you need any support or advice, contact Pupil Services using the details below.

Making a decision

When processing your application the council will consider the most suitable form of travel assistance taking into account the age and needs of the child, the distance from home to school and any other relevant factors. You will receive a letter informing you of the outcome of your application.

If your application is refused, then you have a right of appeal against the decision and you will be advised of this in your letter.

Advice on travel support for young students in further education

The transport policy statement provides information and advice for young people in Year 11-13 and their parents/carers about the travel arrangements and support available locally. It outlines who is eligible for support, how and when to apply for support as well as information for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.   

Download the Transport Policy Statement .

Contact details for Travel Assistance and Elective Home Education:

  • Ali Akbar – Travel Assistance officer Tel: 020 7364 4435
  • Karen O’ Brien – Lead officer for Children Missing Education (CME) and Elective Home Education (EHE) Tel: 020 7364 3439
  • Rehanaz Begum – Operations Manager for CME, EHE and Scholars travel Tel: 020 7364 1427 (available Tuesday to Thursday)

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Benefits for schools with an accredited school travel plan

Transport for london (tfl) cycle parking scheme.

TfL has an ongoing project providing free cycle and scooter parking for schools with an accredited School Travel Plan. 

Capital Grants

Schools that completed an approved Travel Plan by March 2010 received a grant to spend on capital works within their school grounds.

No new Capital Grants are available. However some schools have been allocated a grant that they have not yet claimed. Contact us to find out the status of your grant.

Highway improvements

For schools that identify the need for Highway Improvements around their school, we will bid for additional funding to investigate and implement appropriate measures. Highways improvements can include:

  • Crossing facilities
  • Traffic calming
  • School signage

Planning permission

When a new school is being planned or an existing school is to be expanded, it will usually be a condition of planning permission that the school should write and implement a school travel plan, meeting the criteria for Bronze accreditation.

An effective school travel plan can mitigate concerns about the impact of school run traffic on the local area.

Up to Travel plans for schools

Updated: 27/09/2022

  • Accessibility

School travel assistance

Councils are required to make suitable free travel arrangements for eligible children to enable them to attend school/college. 

Hounslow Council only provide travel assistance to children of compulsory school age (reception upwards).

Free travel for eligible children does not mean that the transport must be arranged by the Council if “suitable” transport has already been arranged by others.  It is expected that the provision of free bus services by Transport for London (TfL) will meet the need for travel assistance in almost all cases.

The council’s approach to providing travel assistance is to promote independence and allow children and young people to reach their full potential and Independent Travel Training (ITT) contributes toward this.

Within the London area pupils under the age of 19 in full time education are entitled to free travel on buses operated by Transport for London (TfL).  Hounslow considers that this is sufficient to meet the travel needs of most children and young people.

Travel training video for Hounslow

Travel Training gives young people with additional needs the skills to get to and from school college by public transport! Something most of us take for granted.

View our policies 

Our  Travel Assistance Policies  set out the arrangements for meeting our statutory duty for eligible children and young people.

It is important that you have read through the relevant  Travel Assistance policy  which applies to your circumstances before you complete an application for an assessment for travel assistance. If after reading through the relevant policy you feel that you may be eligible for Council provided assistance, please complete our on-line application form.

Please note having an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) does not automatically mean that a child/young person is eligible for borough provided travel assistance.  Assessments for eligibility of borough provided travel assistance are made on the needs of the child/young person only. 

In circumstances where parents/carers have decided to send their child/young person to a school that is further away than the school/college(s) that the Council has deemed suitable and available to meet the needs of the child, parents/carers will be expected to fund and make their own travel arrangements.

  • Next page Online application forms for School Travel Assistance

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Key Information

Our School Travel Plan, which aims to educate students about road safety and sustainable travel, has been developed in partnership with Transport for London, through their ‘Stars’ scheme. Currently we are accredited with ‘Gold’ status, but in July 2023 we are due to be reviewed. To maintain this standard, we are committed to organising 48 separate initiatives. Our Junior Travel Ambassadors meet regularly to plan, organise and evaluate events.

Here are just a few of the activities we have participated in this year: • Bikeability – for Year 6 to teach basic safe cycling skills. • Balance bike training for Reception. • Pedestrian training – basic road safety for Reception and Year 5. • Be bright be seen day – to raise awareness of a pedestrians and cyclists visibility when travelling at dusk or at night. • Walk to School Week- over 90% of children walked. scooted or cycled this year. • Theatre productions – visits from Wizard Theatre Company, Abbie Ayre and The Riot Act.

Our Governing Body has recently adopted a cycling and scooting policy promoting safe travel to school for our students. The following links may be useful if you are interested in cycling. • Do you need to brush up on your cycling skills or even learn to ride a bike? The borough provides FREE cycling lessons to over 16’s and adults living in the borough. For more information please visit https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/cycle • Details of cycle routes around London and free maps can be found athttps://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12419.aspx

Public Transport

Year 6 parents wishing to apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard can access the application form at https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard TfL journey planner is a helpful tool that makes using the public transport system within London easy. Go tohttps://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey.

Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/11/03/free-school-transport-explained-eligible-free-travel/

Free school transport explained: From who’s eligible to how it works

school travel scheme tfl

When choosing which schools to apply for, it is important to consider how your child will get there. Some children are eligible for free travel, but this isn’t the case for everyone.

Most parents should expect to be responsible for making arrangements for their child to get to and from school.

Here, we explain everything you need to know about free school travel, from who’s eligible to how it works.

Is my child eligible for free school travel?

We set the national eligibility criteria for free travel to school and your local authority is responsible for deciding whether your child meets these criteria.

Your child is eligible if they are of compulsory school age , go to their nearest suitable school and one of the following applies:

  • they are under 8 and the school is more than 2 miles away
  • they are 8 or over and the school is more than 3 miles away
  • they wouldn’t be able to walk there safely, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian
  • they wouldn’t be able walk there because of their special educational needs, disability or a mobility problem, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If the local authority decides your child would be able to walk to school if they were accompanied, the general expectation is that you will accompany them, or make other suitable arrangements. A child will not normally be eligible for free travel solely because of their parent’s work commitments or caring responsibilities.

Your child may also be entitled to free transport if you have a low family income and they are entitled to free school meals or you get the maximum Working Tax Credit and one of the following applies:

  • they are aged 8 to 11, go to their nearest suitable school and it’s at least 2 miles away
  • they are aged 11 to 16 and go to a school 2 to 6 miles away - if it’s one of their 3 nearest suitable schools
  • they are aged 11 to 16 and go to a school 2 to 15 miles away - if it’s one you chose because of your religion or belief.

If your child doesn't meet the criteria above, you are responsible for arranging their travel to and from school. Some local authorities arrange travel for children who don’t meet the eligibility criteria, although they are not required to. Where they choose to do so, they may charge you for the cost of it.

You can find your local authority’s school travel policy through our postcode search on Gov.uk .

What is a ‘suitable’ school?

A suitable school is one that provides education appropriate to the child’s age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs they may have.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care plan, the school named in their plan will usually be considered their nearest suitable school for travel purposes.

What do I need to do if I think my child is eligible?

You should check your local authority website to see the school travel policy and find out how to apply.

If your child is eligible for free school travel, your local authority will make suitable travel arrangements.  For example, they might provide your child with a pass for free travel on public transport or arrange a dedicated school bus or taxi. They may expect your child to walk to a suitable pick-up point if they are able to.

My child has a special educational need or disability, what does this mean for them?

Your local authority will assess whether your child meets the eligibility criteria. They may ask for information to help them decide whether your child would be able to walk to school.

Your child doesn't need to have an Education, Health and Care plan to be eligible but having one doesn’t make your child automatically eligible.

If your child is eligible, your local authority will make suitable travel arrangements for them, taking into account their needs. It may often be the case that they share a vehicle with other children.

If they have a medical condition which may affect them on the journey, your local authority will decide what arrangements they need to make to manage this.

Your local authority may offer you a personal travel budget or mileage allowance to take your child to school yourself. Some parents prefer this, but you don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to. If you don’t accept it, the local authority will need to arrange your child’s free travel.

As your child gets older, your local authority may offer them the opportunity to take part in independent travel training.

The authority will pay for this and your child will be supported, by a trainer, to learn how to travel to school independently, for example on public transport.

Learning to travel independently is an important part of preparing a child to lead a fulfilling and active adult life. If you want to know more about independent travel training, you should contact your local authority.

What if my child spends time at more than one address?

It’s not normally possible to provide eligible children with travel to and from more than one address, for example if their parents don’t live together. Local authorities usually only arrange travel to and from a child’s main place of residence.

Your local authority’s school travel policy will explain how it decides which address they will arrange travel to.

Can I appeal the local authority’s decision?

Yes. There is an appeals process, published on the local authority’s website, for parents to follow should they want to challenge the decision about their child’s home to school travel.

If you’re not happy with the way the local authority conducts your appeal, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman may be able to investigate. Further information can be found on the LGO website .

What about young people aged 16-25?

When a young person begins post-16 education or training, the level of school travel support changes. It is for the local authority to decide the level of support they offer and these arrangements don’t have to include free or subsidised travel. More information can be found on Gov.uk .

You may also be interested in:

  • Before and after school childcare: Everything you need to know about wraparound care
  • Sex education: What is RSHE and can parents access curriculum materials?
  • Secondary school applications deadline 2023: How and where to apply

Tags: Free school transport , free transport to school , school transport , School transport for secondary schools , School travel

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Transport for London

Thursday 14 Sep 2023

London parents encouraged to champion active school travel as TfL launches makeover of its education programme

  • Most London schools have signed up to TfL’s successful education programme with almost a quarter seeing exceptionally high levels of or increases in pupils walking and cycling
  • Using active travel for the school run instead of the car can help improve young Londoners’ health and wellbeing

Almost a quarter of London schools are making significant progress in shifting pupils’ travel habits to walking and cycling, as part of Transport for London’s (TfL) education programmes, which are celebrating 16 years with the launch of a new brand, TfL Travel for Life .

Since 2007, TfL, in partnership with all London boroughs and the London Transport Museum, has run a variety of school programmes for pupils aged 3-17. These are designed to help young Londoners travel better and choose active travel options – walking, cycling and scooting. The majority of London’s 3,313 schools are participating in one or more of the TfL education programmes formerly known as Road Safety Club, STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart.

The programmes - now consolidated under a single banner - TfL Travel for Life, have accredited nearly half of the 3,313 schools [1] in London with Bronze, Silver or Gold STARS awards. Almost a quarter of these schools have received Gold accreditation, which means they have either reduced their car use by six per cent or they have more than 90 per cent of their students walking and cycling to school. Since the start of the programmes in 2007, schools have so far replaced 22 million kilometres of car journeys with active travel.

TfL Travel for Life brings all of TfL’s different programmes together to create one cohesive programme through a child’s school life, that will help them travel with confidence and independence, with a new website and more support for teachers and parents.

Choosing active travel for the school run has numerous benefits. Rates of childhood obesity are higher in London than in the rest of the UK, [2]  and opting to walk, cycle or scoot to school is a great way for children in the capital to improve their wellbeing and get more regular exercise.

A University of Cambridge study shows that children who regularly walk, cycle or scoot to school are less likely to be overweight or obese, a result consistent across neighbourhoods, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. [3] A University College London (UCL) study also found that active travel improves mental health, [4] further highlighting its benefits.

Fewer parents driving children to school also improves road safety, as TfL works to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London's transport network as part of its Vision Zero programme. Following several measures taken by TfL, there has been a sustained improvement in safety for under-16s on London’s roads. In 2022, the number of children killed or seriously injured on London’s roads reduced by 63 per cent against TfL’s 2005-09 baseline. [5]

Fewer cars also helps tackle the air pollution that leads to poor health outcomes and exacerbates conditions such as asthma, which affects nearly a quarter of a million London children. [6]

Adopting a more active approach to travel and taking part in TfL’s education programmes can help foster a sense of independence and improved understanding of London’s roads and transport network. This in turn can help prepare children and young people for travelling on public transport on their own and even learning to drive later down the line.

London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman met with staff and pupils at Gold-accredited Hillyfield Primary Academy in Walthamstow to see first-hand the difference TfL’s educational programmes have made to the school. The academy is part of the School Streets Initiative, imposing a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times on six surrounding streets, to help tackle road danger and congestion. The school’s façade also features a green wall constructed from vertical ropes and planters, helping promote wellbeing.

With hundreds of London schools such as Hillyfield already taking part in TfL’s education programmes and succeeding in increasing active travel, TfL is encouraging parents using the car for the school run to consider walking and cycling instead as a first step towards a healthier, happier future.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “For 16 years, TfL’s education programmes have worked in London schools to help children travel safely, healthily and sustainably using public transport, walking and cycling. I’m delighted that, through TfL Travel for Life these vital programmes are being refreshed to ensure that next generation are set up to travel sustainably.”

TfL Travel for Life brings together the different educational programmes (Road Safety Club, STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart.) Keeping the same engaging content and adding cohesive branding, an easier online process and a dedicated support team, it will help TfL reach its target of 1,000 Gold-accredited schools by 2025, and replace another 22 million km of car journeys with active travel.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health & Environment Officer, said : “There is nothing more important than children’s health, and prioritising active travel to school is the key to unlocking so many improvements in their wellbeing. We’re delighted to see so many of the schools already involved with our education programmes take such positive steps towards increasing active travel , working towards the common goal of parents and teachers across the city for children to grow up healthy and happy.  TfL Travel for Life keeps all the successful elements of our education programmes while introducing new features that make it even easier and quicker to manage, and we urge all parents to consider walking and cycling for the school run if they’re not already.”

Elizabeth McKay, London Transport Museum’s Director and CEO, said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Transport for London and the London boroughs to deliver TfL Travel for Life. Each year, our team is out and about across the capital working with 1,800 schools and around 100,000 primary school students to deliver the ‘Citizen’ programme, and supporting all London school’s with their ‘Travel for Life Accreditation’. TfL Travel for Life is a fantastic example of city-wide collaboration to inspire young Londoners to not only make greener, safer, healthier choices when they travel, but also a great way to get them thinking about their role in the future of our city.”

Lucy Straker, Campaigns Manager at Brake, the road safety charity, said: "When we surveyed parents and carers across the UK this year, more than a third (36 per cent) said their children couldn’t walk, cycle or scoot to school because roads are too busy, with a further quarter (25 per cent) saying it was because traffic was too fast. [7]

"It’s every child’s right to be able to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school safely - and the way to enable this is with safe footpaths, segregated cycle paths, safe crossing places and slow traffic.

"So it is really encouraging to see initiatives like Travel for Life helping children and their families understand and reap the benefits of making safer and healthier journeys – because ultimately that's how we can make journeys safer and healthier for everyone." 

Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive of Living Streets, the charity behind the national Walk to School campaign, said: “Walking to school has so many benefits for children and their families. From improved physical health to better mental health, independence, and walking is both free and the greenest form of transport. Teachers who take part in our WOW, walk to school challenge say children arrive at school ready to learn and concentrate better in class too.  

“It’s fantastic that TfL are putting the safety of London’s children front and centre by investing in active travel to school. This really helps build healthy habits for life.”

Contact Information

TfL Press Office Transport for London 0343 222 4141 [email protected]

Notes to editors

[1] 737 schools out of 3,313

[2] https://trustforlondon.org.uk/data/child-obesity/#:~:text=Childhood%20obesity%20is%20more%20prevalent,4.2%20percentage%20points%20in%20England.

[3] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190521101344.htm

[4] https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/research-projects/2023/jul/journeys-walking-and-cycling-improve-physical-and-mental-health-across-life-course

[5] https://content.tfl.gov.uk/casualties-in-greater-london-2022.pdf

[6] https://imperialcollegehealthpartners.com/new-innovative-data-tool-is-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-londoners/

[7] https://www.brake.org.uk/how-we-help/raising-awareness/our-current-projects/news-and-blogs/brake-calls-for-20mph-speed-limits-around-schools

[8] https://content.tfl.gov.uk/getting-to-know-school-streets-case-studies-2022.pdf

[9] https://content.tfl.gov.uk/school-streets-qualitative-research-2022.pdf

  • TfL is taking several measures to make it easier and safer for children to walk, cycle and scoot to school. Working with London boroughs, it has helped ensure there are currently more than 500 School Streets in London, at almost a quarter of primary schools. School streets research commissioned by TfL found that parents of children at School Streets schools drove 18 percent less - with those streets also showing an increase in the number of people cycling per hour. [8] One school recorded a 20 per cent increase in walking to school after the scheme was implemented [9]
  • Following the Government funding agreement in August 2022, £80m per year was allocated to TfL for the walking and cycling schemes that are part of its Healthy Streets Programme, the scheme that has seen pedestrian wait times at crossings near schools reduced. A 20mph speed limit on a further 28km of roads in the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Haringey was successfully completed earlier this year
  • Junior Roadwatch, part of Vision Zero, is a road danger reduction education scheme run as a joint initiative between TfL, the Metropolitan Police Service and London Boroughs, in which school children talk to drivers about the dangers of speeding near their school, as an alternative to the driver receiving a fine
  • Working with London boroughs, TfL has more than tripled the size of the London-wide strategic cycle network to more than 340km, meaning that more than one in five Londoners now live near the Cycleway network. In June, TfL launched a major new plan to further boost cycling numbers across the capital, including funding cycle training for more than 40,000 children, and there will also be new guidance setting out principles of inclusivity in design to ensure shared paths in parks and by waterways are properly accessible to everyone, including children. The following month, TfL launched 10 new low traffic cycleways across the capital, the most it has ever opened at one time, making it safer and easier for people to travel around London by bike
  • TfL has also continued to work on its Safer Junctions programme to make life-saving changes at some of the capital’s most dangerous and intimidating junctions. With the completion of work at York Road roundabout in Wandsworth earlier this year, TfL has so far completed work at 44 junctions across London as part of the programme
  • TfL continues to work with young people with its Youth Panel, a group of volunteers aged 16-25 that help to shape transport policy and create a transport network that works for young people. Established in 2009, the panel’s members have helped inform notable policies and plans such as the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, road safety campaigns, and Year of Engineering, among many other initiatives. They also formally submit consultation responses, representing young Londoners, and take part in some TfL campaigns
  • TfL Travel for Life is delivered in partnership with the London Transport Museum and all London boroughs, and designed in line with the OFSTED enrichment programme, the Curriculum and the new Climate Action Planning expectations
  • Under the new TfL Travel for Life branding, STARS for primary schools will be renamed TfL Explorers, and STARS for secondary schools renamed TfL Pioneers. Road Safety Club, the programme to help little Londoners be safe around roads, will be renamed TfL Discoverers. Safety and Citizenship, the flagship programme to prepare year 6 children for independent travel, will be renamed TfL Citizens, while TravelSmart, the digital tool to guide young people to be more risk-aware, will be renamed TfL Navigators

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  2. TfL sets out proposals to help London school children travel safely

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  3. 83 Barnet schools receive TfL Travel for Life accreditation

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  4. TfL Travel for Life school programme

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  5. Active School Travel

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  6. TfL Press Release

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COMMENTS

  1. School Party Travel Scheme

    You should regularly review the Terms and Conditions for the scheme. You will now receive your tickets via email so make sure you enter a valid email address when you apply. If you have not received your tickets 4 working days before the date of travel, you must contact the School Party Travel Team at [email protected].

  2. Travel for schools

    Free off-peak travel for school group visits to educational, cultural and sporting venues in London. The scheme gives free travel on: Bus. Tube. Tram. DLR. London Overground. Elizabeth line. Most National Rail services within London Zones 1-6.

  3. TfL School Programmes

    Introducing TfL Travel for Life. We've just given our school programmes a makeover bringing them together under the new name TfL Travel for Life. We're determined to help young Londoners travel better. Be part of the solution by joining any of our free programmes.

  4. TfL Travel for Life school programme

    TfL Travel for Life is a free accreditation programme that offers a series of free educational programmes (from ages 3 to 17) to schools and education settings across London. Our commitment The goal is to increase active and sustainable travel options when travelling to and from school, reduce car use and improve safety.

  5. PDF School Party Travel scheme TandCs September 2021

    Welcome to the School Party Travel Scheme (SPTS), operated by Transport for London. The scheme offers free off-peak travel for groups from London schools, registered on the scheme, making trips on public transport in London, for educational, sporting or cultural purposes. These terms and conditions are for the benefit and safety of school ...

  6. PDF School Party Application Form (2021)

    If you are unable to apply online you need to: complete all sections of the application form on page 3. Email it to [email protected] or. post the form to School Party Travel team, 14 Pier Walk, London, SE10 0ES. If you've posted your application to us, email us at [email protected] after three days to check if we've received your ...

  7. About STARS

    TfL Travel for Life is open to all London schools and nurseries. To take part in the scheme, you first need to create an online account. This will put you in touch with your local borough officer who will support you throughout the accreditation process, help you create a School Travel Plan (STP) and select the most suitable activities for your ...

  8. TfL STARS

    TfL's STARS schools accreditation scheme inspires young Londoners to think differently about travel and its impact on their health, wellbeing and the environment ... STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart, under one exciting new umbrella programme called TfL Travel for Life. They will be the same great programmes but with a new name and ...

  9. School travel plans (STP)

    STARS (sustainable travel, active, responsible, safe) is Transport for London's (TfL) school travel plan accreditation scheme for London schools and nurseries. STARS inspires young londoners to travel to school sustainably, actively, responsibly and safely by championing walking, scooting and cycling. Unlock additional funding grants and ...

  10. School travel plans 2023/24

    Description: School travel plans deliver transport strategy that supports sustainable travel and road safety education. School Streets close the streets around schools to most traffic at opening and closing times. Year. Financial year 2023/24. Benefits. The main aim of the school travel team is to support schools to reduce car use and increase ...

  11. TFL :: School Travel Accredited & Recognised

    The London School Travel Plan Accreditation Scheme was created in 2007 to set a recognised standard for schools with travel plans that not only promote safe and active travel but achieve it as well. ... To guide and encourage schools to deliver against core TfL aims to increase walking and cycling levels and reduce the number of collisions ...

  12. Schools & young people

    TfL Travel for Life. Learn how to help young Londoners (from ages 3 to 17) travel better.

  13. School travel support

    School travel support. Have your say on the Post-16 transport policy statement for September 2023 - this sets out the travel support available for young people of sixth form age to attend education or training from September 2023. ... Transport for London (TfL) operates a scheme of free and/or discounted travel for children under the age of ...

  14. Benefits for schools with an accredited school travel plan

    Transport for London (TfL) Cycle Parking Scheme. TfL has an ongoing project providing free cycle and scooter parking for schools with an accredited School Travel Plan. Capital Grants. Schools that completed an approved Travel Plan by March 2010 received a grant to spend on capital works within their school grounds. No new Capital Grants are ...

  15. School travel assistance

    It is expected that the provision of free bus services by Transport for London (TfL) will meet the need for travel assistance in almost all cases. The council's approach to providing travel assistance is to promote independence and allow children and young people to reach their full potential and Independent Travel Training (ITT) contributes ...

  16. School Travel Plan

    School Travel Plan. Our School Travel Plan, which aims to educate students about road safety and sustainable travel, has been developed in partnership with Transport for London, through their 'Stars' scheme. ... through their 'Stars' scheme. Currently we are accredited with 'Gold' status, but in July 2023 we are due to be reviewed ...

  17. Free school transport explained: From who's eligible to how it works

    Your child may also be entitled to free transport if you have a low family income and they are entitled to free school meals or you get the maximum Working Tax Credit and one of the following applies: they are aged 8 to 11, go to their nearest suitable school and it's at least 2 miles away. they are aged 11 to 16 and go to a school 2 to 6 ...

  18. London parents encouraged to champion active school travel as TfL

    Elizabeth McKay, London Transport Museum's Director and CEO, said: "We're incredibly proud to partner with Transport for London and the London boroughs to deliver TfL Travel for Life. Each year, our team is out and about across the capital working with 1,800 schools and around 100,000 primary school students to deliver the 'Citizen' programme ...

  19. PDF SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN OVERVIEW

    At Barnes Primary School, we work hard to support healthy active lifestyles, safety and sustainability. Our School Travel Plan is an example of this work. We first achieved a Gold accreditation in the Transport for London (TfL) award scheme for our School Travel Plan in 2014 and have maintained it ever since.

  20. London parents encouraged to champion active school travel as TfL

    Almost a quarter of London schools are making significant progress in shifting pupils' travel habits to walking and cycling, as part of Transport for London's (TfL) education programmes, which are celebrating 16 years with the launch of a new brand, TfL Travel for Life. Since 2007, TfL, in partnership with all London boroughs and the London Transport Museum, has run a variety of school ...

  21. TfL reminds schoolchildren and commuters on the best ways to travel

    There are currently more than 700 London primary schools enrolled on the TfL STARS schools accreditation scheme, which inspires young Londoners to think differently about travel and commit to more active, safe and sustainable modes. Each year STARS schools replace 13 million miles worth of car journeys with walking, cycling and scooting.

  22. TfL Explorers

    TfL Explorers is a free year-round educational programme that inspires primary-aged children to travel actively, responsibly and safely. The programme is delivered in partnership with the London Transport Museum. The average journey to primary school is less than one kilometre. That's about a 10-minute walk. Even so, many of these journeys are ...

  23. TfL urges walking and cycling to school to help children safely return

    Schools are being asked to stagger start and end times and encourage walking and cycling. The latest advice and resources for schools to encourage safe and sustainable school travel can be found on TfL's dedicated webpage. Other customers will be encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and travel outside school travel hours where they can.

  24. How to keep safe when travelling, ahead of schools restarting

    Asking pupils, parents and guardians using public transport, or taxi and private hire services, to use a facial covering, carry a hand sanitiser and wash their hands before and after they travel. Taking part in STARS, TfL's community project with more than 1,500 schools, nurseries and colleges across London.