Crofton Infant School
| Published: 29th October 2007 16:35 |
Contact Information
Crofton Infant School
Towncourt Lane
Orpington
Kent BR5 1EL
Tel: 01689 826320
Fax - 01689 898415
E-mail - admin@crofton-inf.bromley.sch.uk
Headteacher - Mr John Brown
NB: To view the school, please ring for an appointment.
Term Dates
Autumn 2007
Friday 21st December - Last day of term
Spring 2008
Monday 7th January - First Day of Term
Monday 18th - Friday 22 February - Half Term Holiday
Friday 21st March - Good Friday (school closed)
Monday 24th March - Easter Monday (school closed)
Friday 4th April - Last day of term
Summer Term 2008
Monday 21st April - First Day of Term
Monday 5th May - Bank Holiday (school closed)
Monday 26th - Friday 30th May - Half Term Holiday
Monday 2nd June - Training Day (staff only in school)
Friday 18th July - Last Day of Term
Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd July - Training Days (staff only in school)
Visit the School Website
Information about Crofton Infant School's Parent Staff Association (PSA) can be found at http://www.crofton-psa.org.uk/
School Scheme: Travel Plan
What is a Travel Plan?
A Travel Plans aims to reduce single occupancy car journeys and promote the use of sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling, car sharing and public transport through fun educational measures. Effectively they are a package of measures put together by schools to reduce congestion on the school run and raise awareness of sustainable transport.
Why have one?
Central government wants all schools in London by 2009 to have a school travel plan and the government wants all schools by 2010 to have a school travel plan.
How can schools get involved?
To help schools implement a travel plan the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is awarding all non-independent schools capital grants to write a plan. Primary schools are entitled to £3750 plus £5 per pupil and secondary schools are entitled to £5000 plus £5 per pupil. Bromley borough already has a dedicated officer to help schools implement Travel Plans. When a travel plan is first drafted the whole school community is consulted through a survey that goes home with the pupils. This way pupils and parents can identify barriers that prevent them from walking, such as distance, parents working etc.
In the 3 years that Bromley have been running school travel plans over 70% of schools in the borough have signed up.
Some examples of projects that Bromley borough has implemented in schools include:
WoW (Walk on Wednesday) - If pupils walk to school every Wednesday or Once a Week they will receive a badge at the end of the month. The badges change colour and design every month. There is even a WoW Bear mascot that will visit schools and carry out an interactive assembly to promote WoW. The WoW scheme now has 67 primary schools on board in the borough.
WoW Extra - Where you walk more than once a week and receive extra incentives.
Park & Stride - Encourages parents who need their cars to park a short distance away from the school in a safe area and walk the rest of the journey. Normally about 500m.
Pedometer Challenge
Car Share Incentive Scheme
Congestion Busting Banner Competition
Inter-school Walking Competition
Schools also carry out bespoke competitions and the borough offers small prizes as incentives.
Since Travel Plans were introduced there has been a 16% reduction in car travel and this is growing every year. At the same time there has been a 10% increase in car sharing for pupils.
What shall I do if I'm interested in joining?
If you are a parent interested in the scheme first find out if your children's school has a travel plan in place. If they don;t you should encourage them to do so - it's a way of getting the children involved and being better for the environmet. Once a travel plan is implemented parents can join the scheme through the school.
How can I support the scheme?
Just by taking part is supporting the scheme. Parents are asked to walk or park and stride when they can. Also just by spreading the message about the scheme and how fun it is all helps. If parents have any ideas or competitions then they should talk to their school or contact Louise French the School Travel Plan Officer on 020 8461 7461 or email louise.french@bromley.gov.uk
So what's happening at Crofton Infant School?
Crofton Infant School operates a Walk on Wednesdays Scheme (WoW). There is a "Walking Bus" that leaves from Crescent Drive down Shepperton Road. The school is always interested in opening up another WOW, perhaps from the Place Farm estate. Children are also encouraged to use their scooters to come to school - accompanied of course! And the school has a dedicated scooter park where scooters can be left for the day as long as they are locked up.
What do you think?
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