Junior SAFEMark aims to prepare children for the world of public transport, prior to their transition to secondary school.
At this stage in their life many children experience public transport for the first time as they travel to their new school, or become more independent in their free time. Junior SAFEMark enables children to take this step safely and confidently.
Junior SAFEMark workshops are held during the second part of the summer term. The workshops are organised by Metro in partnership with the district councils and bus operators. Children attend a half day workshop where they participate in the following activities.
- ‘Make your journey safe': an on-bus lesson in safe travel.
- ‘Planning your journey': a session on planning journeys by public transport.
- 'Transport choices': a session on the environmental impacts of transport choices.
In 2007 over 1800 children attended the workshops from 56 schools in the 5 districts of West Yorkshire.
Over 75% of children said the workshops made them less nervous about travelling on a bus.
100% of school staff said they thought the children had benefitted from attending the workshops.
