Guides for Scottish educators on incorporating experiential learning into their teaching
Promoting Active Travel and Community Inclusion in Scottish Primary Schools
Scotland is taking significant strides in promoting active travel and fostering a healthier, safer, and more inclusive environment for primary school children.
The Scottish Government, in collaboration with local councils, is championing walking, cycling, and scooting as the healthiest and most enjoyable ways for children to travel to school. Free school transport is provided for primary school children living more than a mile from their catchment school, while a national concessionary travel scheme offers free bus travel for all children and young people up to the age of 22, thereby reducing car use around schools. Parking near schools is strongly discouraged to improve safety, with parents being encouraged to use alternative drop-off points to encourage walking the final distance.
Mental health benefits are also a key focus of these active travel initiatives. The emphasis is not just on physical health improvements but also on the broader health and social benefits of active transportation modes. Encouraging diverse modes of transport enhances accessibility for all pupils, thereby supporting inclusion and equity.
Funding programs, such as the £5 million grant launched by the Clore Duffield Foundation, focus on giving children healthier, more active starts and promoting cultural inclusion through school trips, thereby contributing to social inclusion and mental well-being. While specific mental health programs in primary schools are not detailed in the provided results, the integration of active travel and community-focused grants contributes towards overall well-being and inclusion.
In addition to government schemes and local council policies, a range of charitable initiatives are also playing a crucial role. The FRideDays initiative, for instance, encourages school children to cycle to school every Friday. A downloadable toolkit is available for setting up a bike bus, and free training is offered to anyone wanting to lead this initiative.
Moreover, the @and_she_cycles Instagram account empowers teenage girls to share their cycling experiences and connect with like-minded individuals. Senior school pupils are encouraged to become #AndSheCycles ambassadors, with a pack providing tips on empowering more girls to cycle in their school and setting up #AndSheCycles groups.
For schools looking to increase active travel, contact the Scotland Schools team. A variety of training options are available to help schools promote and engage in active travel. Emailing the Education team on the website can provide more information on implementing School Streets, which refer to restricting vehicle access to make the road outside schools a walking, wheeling, and cycling zone.
These combined efforts form a comprehensive approach to fostering safer, healthier, and more inclusive primary school environments in Scotland. By promoting active travel, mental health, and community inclusion, Scotland is setting a strong example for other countries to follow.
- Integrating science education into the active travel initiatives could help children understand the benefits of exercise and its impact on health-and-wellness, thus fostering a greater appreciation for fitness-and-exercise.
- The education-and-self-development aspect of these efforts could be further enhanced by offering seminars or workshops on lifestyle choices that support active travel, such as meal planning for sustainable, healthy, and affordable lunches, promoting holistic growth and well-being.
