On this page

  • Lesson plans ideas
  • Free practical road safety resources
  • Free Theatre in Education
  • Subsidised Bikeability cycle training
  • Links to other road safety education resources

If you know of other resources, perhaps created by yourself, let us know. We can add your content to our website and recommend them to other teachers.

Please note: classroom sessions should be accompanied by practical 'on the road' training, as research has shown this is more effective in behavioural change than purely classroom based activities.

Email road.safety@bristol.gov.uk for more information.

Why teach road safety

The benefits of teaching road safety education:

  • Lays the foundations for Road Safety into the teens and adult life.
  • Helps keep children safe around school, away on trips and out and about in Bristol.
  • It can make up part of many areas of the curriculum, including subject areas such as Maths, Geography or Science.
  • Contributes to the outcomes for Every Child Matters and the Children Act (2004): that of being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, and economic wellbeing.
  • Helps towards the National Healthy Schools Standard.
  • It is an important part of a School Travel Plan.
  • Helps Bristol become an active City.

KS1 Nursery and Primary

Free practical resources for Lower Primary KS1

Please note: Classroom sessions should be accompanied by practical 'on the road' training, as research has shown this is more effective in behavioural change than purely classroom based activities.

Download the Nursery and Primary KS1 Flyer from the related documents section.

Free road safety kit 

A fun and free interactive role-play resource.

The kit includes:

  • Child's 'Lolly' School Crossing Patrol and Police costume.
  • Mini Puffin or Pelican Crossing.
  • Puzzles and Big reading books.
  • Mini crossings are electrically powered.
  • Mini Zebra Crossing.

Parent walk

Teach your child road safety skills.

Session covers:

  • Advice on teaching children pedestrian skills effectively.
  • Child Car Seat and In-Car Safety information.
  • Short walk to reinforce the ideas discussed.

Session length: 45minutes (approximately).

Please note: This is for Nursery and Reception Parents only.

Interested? Contact your school or call us.

Introduce your reception year to their school crossing patrol

  • Advice on how to cross the road safely.
  • Approximately 15 minutes duration.

Contact us to arrange a visit from your Road Safety Officer and School Crossing Patrol (SCP).

KS2 Primary

Discover what free resources we offer Primary KS2.

Download the KS2 (Year 3 to 6) Flyer from the related documents section.

Trail Blazers (Year 3)

Looking for a fun way of teaching Year 3 road safety?

Trail Blazers is a practical session allowing young children the chance to talk about road safety issues around their school.

Pupils are given a set of photos of local streets around the school (provided by road safety team) and discuss road safety issues i.e. where is best to cross, what road signs mean etc. This photographic resource is left with the school for future use.

Requirements:

  • Adult helpers needed from school (1:6 ratio).
  • Session lasts approximately 1 hour.
  • One class at any one time.

School gate report (Year 5/6)

Got a problem with traffic outside your school?

Why not get your class to produce a school gate report about how parents/children behave around the school?

Send it out as a newsletter, with good and bad behaviour observed. Use it as part of your 'Walk to School' or 'Show You Care, Park Elsewhere' campaigns.

Speed awareness (Year 6)

How fast is the traffic outside your school?

Children work in groups to record data about the speed of vehicles, driver distractions and types of vehicles on the road near your school.

This is followed by a playground activity to educate children on 'stopping distances' and to discuss common traffic issues, such as; driver distractions, weather conditions and how these can affect your safety.

Adult helpers needed from school (1:6 ratio).

Session lasts approximately 1 1/2 Hours.

Contact us if you're interested.

Bikeability level 1 cycle training (Year 3 and 4)

Develop basic skills through games activities in a safe traffic free environment.

  • These courses are subsidised.
  • Delivered by a Bikeability Instructor.
  • 2 hour course in the playground.
  • An adult helper is required.

Bikeability level 2 cycle training (Year 5 and 6)

Develop skills, experience and confidence to ride on quiet to moderate residential roads, ideal for the journey to school. 

  • These courses are subsidised.
  • Delivered by 2 Bikeability Instructors
  • 7 hrs 30 mins course
  • 1 playground session and 4 on-road sessions

Bikeability has more information. 

Email us at road.safety@bristol.gov.uk if you're interested in running these courses.

KS3 and KS4 Secondary Schools and Sixth Form

Resources for keystages 3 and 4.

Bikeability level 3 cycle training (Years 7 to 13)

Develop advanced skills to enable riders to cope with all road conditions including pupils home to school journey.

  • These courses are subsidised.
  • Delivered by 2 Bikeability instructors.
  • 9 hr course
  • 1 playground session, 3 group riding sessions, 1 classroom session, 1 individual riding session per pupil.

Bikeability can provide more information. 

Email us at road.safety@bristol.gov.uk if you're interested in running these courses.

The journey to school

Keep safe when travelling to and from school.

Show you care park elsewhere

Aims to persuade parents who drive to park away from school or leave the car at home and walk, cycle or take public transport.

Since the campaign's launch, many schools have signed up and display the 'Show You Care, Park Elsewhere' banner outside school gates.

Banners, Stickers and Leaflets are available for free.

If your school is interested, contact us.

Walking buses

A national scheme, encouraging parent volunteers to walk children to school along a set route.

Safer routes to schools

What are safer routes to school?

We have a long-term strategy to encourage more pupils to walk, cycle and use public transport on their journeys to and from school.

  • Measures could include minor works, such as warning signs and road markings, or could include larger schemes, such as traffic calming and pedestrian crossings.
  • Measures will be based on School Travel Plans and will include consultation with local residents and Police.
  • Minor works will be prioritised chronologically, and will depend on annual budgets.

Contact us if you want to know more.

Information about known pavement closures can be found at the end of the weekly Roadworks report.

Contact information

Road Safety

Local & Sustainable Transport (100 TS)
Bristol City Council
PO Box 3399
Bristol BS1 9NE

Email: road.safety@bristol.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 922 4383