School travel
We want to support children to get active and arrive at school ready to learn. By increasing physical activity before school starts, learners experience improved mood, higher energy levels and greater confidence. More pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school also benefits the wider community by reducing traffic levels around each campus.
Walking
We support schools to participate in national Walk to School Week, which takes place every May, by funding classroom packs and other resources. To register your school for Walk to School Week 2024, or discuss other ways to promote walking within the school community, email our active travel team.
We also encourage schools and families to make use of the GoJauntly walking app. There are a range of walks available wherever you are in East Lothian, and some of the walks have been especially designed for children. Give them a try and rediscover the world around you on foot.
Cycling
East Lothian Council's Outdoor Learning service deliver the Bikeability Scotland national cycle training programme at levels 1, 2 and 3. Bikeability Scotland Instructor training courses are available to schools for free and added regularly to the Outdoor Learning training calendar.
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel takes place in March and is the UK's largest inter-school active travel challenge - inspiring pupils to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to school. 15 schools registered for Big Walk and Wheel 2023, with schools from Musselburgh and Aberlady winning a live bicycle stunt team performance. Registration for the next Big Walk and Wheel will open in 2024.
Funding is available for school cycle and scooter parking through Cycling Scotland's Cycle Friendly Primary School and Cycle Friendly Secondary School Programmes, which also offer accrediation and award schemes for schools that want to boost cycling rates among pupils.
Travel planning and road safety support
Schools can apply to these programmes independently, or get advice and help co-ordinating applications from our Active Travel team. The Active Travel team can also help schools to develop and maintain an active travel culture through travel planning support and guidance.
Our School Crossing Guide Supervisor helps schools with resources, training and events to work with their Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) programme to put children in control of highlighting road safety issues around their school. Email us for more information on the JRSO programme.