Start the new school year with the Safe School Run Pledge

As the new academic year begins, Norfolk County Council's Public Health Road Safety team are inviting schools, parents, and carers across the county to join the Safe School Run pledge, an initiative that encourages safer, healthier, and more sustainable travel during school drop-off and pick-up times. 

Last year nearly sixty schools took part in the pledge continuing to make a positive impact. Participating schools report a 10% increase in walking, scooting, or cycling, fewer cars during peak times, and a noticeable improvement in road safety awareness among children and their families. 

This year, schools will receive updated resources designed to support safe parking, reduce engine idling, and improve air quality around school gates. These free materials, developed by Norfolk County Council's Public Health Road Safety team with resources from Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, aim to help schools engage their communities in creating safer streets and cleaner air for all. 

Acle Academy, a secondary school which took the pledge last year, noted the impact it had made. "We have seen a marked improvement in the attitude to road safety from both students and parents, leading to less congestion and dangerous parking along South Walsham Road, and a general rise in awareness of the importance of a safe school run. We plan to run the information drive again in September, when we have our new Year 7 cohort join us." 

The pledge promotes simple but powerful actions such as parking a short distance away and walking the final stretch, switching off engines while waiting, and choosing active travel options like walking, wheeling, or cycling whenever possible. 

Cllr Fran Whymark, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said "Improving safety and air quality around schools is something that we can all support. I'd encourage every school to take part in the Safe School Run pledge and hope every parent or carer can play their part in improving safety around pick-up and drop-off times. We also know that small actions, like switching off the car whilst waiting, can have a huge impact on air quality. It's often small things that each of us can do which make a big difference." 

Schools interested in joining the pledge or accessing the free resources can visit the Norfolk County Council website or contact the Road Safety team directly for support. Norfolk County Council's website.