Junior Road Safety Officers
2023 / 2024 Junior Road Safety Officers!
Once again, we encouraged as many pupils as possible to take an active journey to school. This time, year 6 were the most successful and Mr Byam organised a special treat for them.
The JRSOs were happy to remind the children of the rap which they wrote for the Sustrans competition and the whole school enjoyed chanting it just before half term. We all agree that Look right, look left, look right again is turning into a school earworm!
The whole school logged the journeys to school which involved walking, cycling or scooting for an entire fortnight! The JRSOs kept tabs on each class and made sure that all the data was up-to-date and as a whole school, we were awarded all of the available badges. We were particularly proud that we recommended the project to other local schools. Year 3 were the victors on this occasion!
The JRSOs also entered a rap that was mentioned favourably by the judges. They have enjoyed teaching it to the whole school and the school choir are in the process of learning it so that it can be heard by all of their audiences too.
Using bulbs to stop unsafe parking
The children planted daffodil bulbs with the Green Gang and then made signs to draw attention to the fact that bulbs would be growing through the grass verges. This has reduced vehicles planting on the grass verges opposite the school and raised awareness in the local community.
Bright Bandz Competition
The JRSOs ran their annual road safety competition during December. They judged some super entries and prizes were given to:
Foundation: Rafaela and Imogen
Year 1: Lily and Freddie
Year 2: Lawrence and Eli
Year 3: Ruben and Theo
Year 4: Charlotte and Jack
Year 5: Max and Kai
Year 6: Jack and Rebecca
Road Safety Week
For Road Safety Week, we planned various activities around the school. Year 2 loved their morning colouring of a road safety hero, and year 6 particularly enjoyed planning a shadow dance about road safety issues inspired by the work of American violinist Lindsey Stirling.
Cycle to School Week
First ticketing afternoon of the 2024/25 academic year
Speed Watch 2024
We met with the local Speed Watch team who frequently carry out speed watches in Holbrook. They showed us how to use the speed gun, what details we would need to take if we caught anyone speeding and what would happen if someone was caught. We discussed why this was important in the community and how it may prevent people from speeding in the future. The JRSO team enjoyed taking part, especially using the speed gun!
Road Safety Week 2023!
This week our Junior Road Safety Officers took part in a 'parking watch' to promote safe parking in our community. We are pleased to report the majority of people were parking with safety and with consideration - some of these people received a note to thank them for their parking. We were especially pleased to see people using the Village Hall car park to park and walk down the school. One thing we did notice was the lack of parking available for Blue Badge holders, this is something we are going to look into and aim to change in the coming months! We would like to thank all of those who are parking with care and keeping our community safe.
Unfortunately, there has been an incident of dangerous driving reported to the school. We would like to remind all drivers to drive carefully around the bend coming up to Holbrook Academy and slowdown in case of pedestrians crossing at the Zebra Crossing. We are hoping to work with the local community to ensure our roads are safe and pedestrians are able to cross avoiding danger.
- JRSO Team
Why do we need to teach children about road safety?
In Western society, if a child is to be killed, or seriously injured, the chances are that it will happen on the roads.
During 2012 61 children aged under 15 were killed on Britain’s roads, one more than in 2010 but 52% down on the 2005-2009 average.
Road Safety Education for children in primary schools is the starting point for life as a road user, whether as a pedestrian, a cyclist, or a driver.
Source - Suffolk Roadsafe
Our work in previous years.
At Holbrook, JRSOs are committed to making drivers aware of the need to drive and park safely in our village. They met with our Community Speed Watch Coordinator to find out about his work in the community. They then helped out with a village speed watch.
Christmas Bright Bandz competition - to remind everyone of the importance of being seen on dark winter mornings and evenings when out and about walking, cycling and scooting. You need to be bright like the Kings!
Traffic Trouble in Holbrook
Since the start of term in September, the Holbrook Primary Junior Road Safety Officers have noticed an increase in the amount of traffic and speed of the vehicles that drive through our village. This reckless driving is putting lives at risk! Not only children but all members of our community face danger crossing our roads. We’ve identified Arnold’s Corner on the Ipswich Road as a particularly dangerous spot for pedestrians. This is a blind bend where cars frequently speed along and are unable to slow down for oncoming vehicles. Both cars and coaches have been seen mounting the pavement and driving along up to the turning of the Cut, a lane frequently used by many of our children and those from the Academy. This has to stop!
When driving through our village, we urge you to drive safely and considerately. Nothing is too important to risk a child’s life. Remember, twenty’s plenty!
Tyre tracks where cars have swerved off the road onto the pavement.
It is impossible cross the road safely at this blind bend. Fast cars have to slam their breaks on.
Holbrook JRSOs, Isabelle, Georgia, Alfie and Francesca
The school have had a Junior Road Safety Officer team since 2008. They take part in Suffolk County Council Highways Agency 'Junior Road Safety Scheme. Last year our four JRSOs worked tirelessly to make Holbrook and its pupils safe whilst out and about. Each year we cover basic road awareness and safety including an autumn/winter brightness campaign. We always promote walking, cycling and scooting. Every year we have focused events such as a whole school sponsored walk around Alton Water, walk to school weeks and the Big Pedal weeks. We continue with our campaign to improve parking around the school. The JRSOs conduct regular parking patrols, giving out smiley faces to considerately parked cars. Their registration is then entered in a prize drawer. The JRSOs promoted an anti-idling initiative aimed at people switching off their engines when waiting to collect pupils. (This is to ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for all.) The JRSOs sent a winning flyer home to all parents and put up posters around the village. They asked the local secondary school to support their initiative and were interviewed on local BBC Suffolk radio.
JRSO accolades
JRSO Gold award 2023/24
JRSO Gold award 2022
JRSO Silver award 2019
JRSO Gold award 2018
JRSO Gold award 2017
