Mum Elizabeth Griffiths and Nan June Dayus with Hawthorn Pupils

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s dedicated Road Safety Team, with the help of a mum and grandmum, has taken its work to the streets – literally!

Pupils at Hawthorn Primary School are the latest to benefit from the exciting Kerbcraft training, which allows them real experience of how to stay safe when they are out and about as pedestrians.

Mum Elizabeth Griffiths and nan June Dayus were on hand this week to help the Road Safety Team with the important training, which saw a total of 29 pupils secure skills in crossing the road, ensuring you are visible to motorists at all times, staying safe and more.

Kerbcraft forms just a part of the far-reaching work delivered in Hawthorn Primary – as well as all other schools in the county borough – to protect younger residents and prepare them to be safe, considerate pedestrians, cyclists and, eventually, motorists.

The school also has a walking bus that meets at Hawthorn Leisure Centre every Wednesday and sees pupils – accompanied by Headteacher xx Noble or another staff member – walk to school in all weathers to promote physical activity and reduce traffic on the roads.

It also has two Junior Road Safety Officers in Year Five and two in Year Six who work to share the road safety message with all their classmates and the wider community, supporting the Council Road Safety Team in their work in the school.

Cycle Training Wales has also been in the school to ensure pupils secure National Standard 1 and 2 and road safety talks are regularly delivered to raise the profile of the issue.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Frontline Services, said: “Congratulations to the pupils of Hawthorn Primary School on their successful completion of Kerbcraft.

“Thanks must also be given to the staff, parents and grandparents who support our Road Safety Team in its efforts to ensure younger residents remain safe when they are out and about.

“More and more essential work is being delivered via schools in order to secure pedestrian safety and awareness, cycling proficiency, preparation for when they pass their driving tests, presentations and events and, of course, the ongoing effort to prevent illegal and dangerous parking outside our schools.”