Who Leads The Walking Bus?

Mrs Naughton was initially responsible for setting up the walking bus scheme. The scheme was then handed over to Mrs Thurm and she now acts as the Walking Bus Co-ordinator for the school. Mrs Thurm is a volunteer and has given up many hours of her time to set up the scheme on behalf of the school and all the parents and carers.

What is a walking bus?

The Walking Bus concept is the new, safe, healthy and environmentally friendly approach to alleviating the undesirable effects of school run traffic congestion. The scheme is parent led with the support of the Head Teacher and staff at Unsworth Primary School.

At the most basic level, a Walking Bus consists of a group of children who are escorted to school by registered and CRB checked adults. Small groups of children and a minimum of two adults walk a pre-defined route to school, with specified ‘stops’ (locations) to pick up children.

Why have a walking bus?

The scheme not only encourages children to walk, but also asks parents to rethink their trips to school and if possible to save a few precious car journeys. Since the launch of the scheme on 22nd May 2007, we are saving ten single car journeys to school, on two days per week. We are confident that this number will increase when further volunteers sign up.

What happens if I volunteer?

Agreeing to walk children to school is a big commitment. This is why we use a rota on our walking bus routes and adults are only asked to commit to one day a week to the bus. Depending on the number of volunteers we have, it is likely that you may only be asked to help out once every term. Each walking bus route requires a minimum of two adults i.e “driver” and “conductor” and to be CRB checked. The walking bus currently has 5 volunteers and we desperately need more volunteers for this scheme to work.

Why should I participate in a walking bus?

Benefits for parents

• You will have extra time to get to work and not have to worry about dropping off your child at school.
• When your child minder is ill, your children can walk with this bus instead.
• There will be less congestion on Chadderton Drive due to the reduced number of cars doing the “school run”.
• You will be safe in the knowledge that you child is travelling to school safely, improving, their health and enjoyment whilst they walk.
  

Benefits for children

• Children are able to walk to school with their friend and make new friends
• Walking helps to increase a child’s road safety awareness
• Daily exercise helps to increase fitness and improve health
• Children become more aware of their local environment
• Can help children to increase their independence and confidence

The scheme recognises that keeping volunteers and children on the bus can be a challenge in itself. In order to keep the children excited, there will be prizes and recognition given to children and volunteers for being on the bus. Mrs Thurm requested that the 10 children who participated on the very first walking bus, be given a certificate and a pedometer to mark the special occasion.

If your company would be interested in supporting the walking bus scheme, then please let Marianne Thurm know.

Her contact telephone number is 766 4731 or you can email her via school unsworth@bury.gov.uk