West Berkshire pupils encouraged to engage with #SaveKidsLives

A deputy head teacher from a school in West Berkshire has recently returned from a fact-finding trip to the Gambia as part of Global Road Safety Week (GRSW) 2015.

Jackie Livermore, deputy head teacher at Westwood Farm Junior School in Tilehurst, visited Gunjur in the Gambia to meet with a head teacher at a school there to discuss the differences in journeys to school and the safety of children on the roads.

West Berkshire Council’s road safety team donated hi-vis items including jackets, wristbands and fobs which Ms Livermore passed on to the pupils she met.

The focus for GRSW (4-10 May) is child road safety. Using the slogan #SaveKidsLives, the UN Road Safety Collaboration campaign is seeking to highlight the plight of children on the world’s roads, and generate action to better ensure their safety.

Here in the UK, a comprehensive programme of activities and resources is being prepared by an alliance of road safety organisations headed by Road Safety GB.

West Berkshire’s road safety team is encouraging local schools to take part in the #SaveKidsLives campaign, to create awareness among pupils of child road safety issues across the globe, and how they can keep safe.

Pupils are being encouraged to read and sign a declaration which has been written with the help of children from around the world, which calls on Governments to act to improve the safety of children on the road.

Mark Edwards, head of highways and transport at West Berkshire Council, said: “The campaign raises awareness of global issues and encourages children to think about the problems faced by other nations and cultures.

“It also creates an opportunity to partner with schools around the world and to discuss the differences on road safety and security faced by children globally.

"This is a great opportunity to work with schools in other nations and we are urging as many local schools as possible to get involved and join us in supporting this very important campaign."

Schools can find a partner by visiting the British Council Schools Online website.