Celebrations will be the order of the day at Barrow Island Primary school on Monday (14 May) as the winners of a competition to design a road safety banner and signs for the school receive their prizes.
In 2006, the school completed its Travel Plan, with the help of Cumbria County Council's Better Ways to School Programme. A part of the programme is to encourage less car journeys and more cycling to school. Another very important part of the scheme is ensuring pupils' safety in and around the school and along the routes they take to school.
Every school that completes an approved Travel Plan gets a grant from the Government to help with putting the Travel Plan into action and Barrow Community Primary's school council were given the job of deciding what to spend some of the money on. They came up with the idea of running competitions to design a railing banner and signs for the school.
Under the rules of the competition, the banner needed to include a message to drivers not to park on the yellow zig zags outside the school, and the signs' design needed to draw attention to the fact that there was a school ahead.
The winning designs are:
- a railing banner by Zack, which depicts cars and a crossing patrol person with brightly coloured STOP, WAIT and GO lollipop sticks and a 'stay safe' message telling drivers not to park on the zig zag lines and
- signs designed by Rebecca showing a crossing patrol person standing next to a zebra crossing with a car in the background and the message 'always look left and right'.
These designs have now been made into a full size banner and signs with the help of resident artist John Hall and local company Chatsworth Signs.
On Monday at 1.15pm John will join the the Mayor and Mayoress of Barrow, Ken and Pat Williams at an unveiling ceremony for the two designs, along with local county councillor Clive Kitchen, Head teacher Julie Fryer, Learning Mentor Alex Newby, crossing patrol person Michael Townend, Better Ways to School adviser Fiona Hanson, and members of the school council.
Headteacher Julie Fryer said:
"The street sign and banners are the latest in a series of initiatives we have worked on with Better Ways to School. Other initiatives have included putting in a cycle shelter, cycling proficiency training and getting involved in Walk to School week, which aims to highlight to our children and their parents the importance of coming to school in as safe and environmentally friendly way as possible.
"Parking can be a problem for the school and the nursery next door, but it is important for anyone dropping a child off that they don't park on the zig zag lines - hopefully the new banners and sign will help."
Artist in residence John Hall said:
"This is a valuable project in many ways - it uses the imagination and creativity of young people to present an important message.
"I've enjoyed working with the Barrow Island pupils on their excellent designs, and with local company Chatsworth signs who have done such a great job in making and displaying them."
ENDS
Further information from Fiona Hanson, Better Ways at School Adviser on 01229 894591
You are invited to send a reporter to Barrow Island school at 1.15 pm on Monday 14 May. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the personal circumstances of some of the children involved, we request that you photograph a group of the school council rather than individuals. Many thanks.