Sciennes Free Scooter Bikes

We have a selection of small second-hand scooter bikes which are ideal for learning to ride a bike. These are suitable for P1, P2 and pre-school children and are absolutely free. If you would like one they will be available to collect from the playground from 2.45 tomorrow (Wednesday 1st April). We may also have a couple of tag-a-longs which are great for longer journeys with small children.

Spokes have produced an excellent fact sheet on "How to get your Child Cycling" which can be found at
http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/commuting-with-kids/

SCHOOL STREETS CONSULTATION

THURSDAY 15th JANUARY

SCHOOL STREETS CONSULTATION

Sciennes Primary is one of 6 Edinburgh schools to be accepted for the School Streets pilot project. Commencing in September 2015 the council aim to close the street to traffic outside of the school at school arrival and departure time. Prior to this happening, a public consultation is taking place. Council staff will be in the gym hall on Thursday 15th Jan 3.30pm-7pm to receive feedback about this initiative. Please take a few minutes to take part in the public consultation meeting if you can.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON PROPOSED SCHOOL STREETS SCHEMES

Proposed Experimental Traffic Regulation - Prohibition of Vehicular Traffic (During School Travel Periods)

A public consultation is now live as part of a new pilot School Streets initiative for the Capital, running from 15th December 2014 to 27th February 2015.

WHY ARE WE CONSULTING?

Whatever your views about School Streets, as a parent, resident or driver, City of Edinburgh Council wants to hear from you. We are particularly keen to get your views on which streets should be included in the pilot project.

Click to view

A total of 31 schools expressed an interest in taking part in the pilot, which is designed to improve the environment around schools and encourage safer and healthier ways for pupils to travel to and from school.

The Local Transport Strategy 2014-19 contains a commitment to pilot School Streets at up to five schools.

However, given the volume of interest from schools across the city, a list of ten pilot schemes covering 11 schools was drawn up and was agreed by councillors in October.

These locations have been experiencing on going road safety issues caused by too many drivers bringing their vehicles too close to the school gates.

The pilot schemes will prohibit traffic on streets outside or around school entrances at specific times of day.

The benefits of implementing school streets are:

•          Increase in walking and cycling and active lifestyles for pupils and parents/carers
•          Reduction in traffic speed, congestion and pollution around the school gates
•          Responding to demand from parents and residents

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: "There's a huge appetite out there for this initiative and our next task is to finalise the details of how the schemes might work. We're looking for as much feedback as possible from people in each of the 11 school communities, including local residents. Please have your say in our online consultation or pop along to one of the many drop-in sessions we've got planned early in the New Year."

An online consultation went live earlier this week and will run until Friday 27 February 2015.

In addition, a series of drop-in information events will be held in each of the school communities during January and February 2015.

School Streets Drop-in Sessions Diary

January 2015

8th - Clermiston Primary School, 3-6pm
13th - Buckstone Primary School, 3-7pm
14th - Duddingston Primary School, 3-6pm
15th - Sciennes Primary School, 3.30-7pm
20th - Abbeyhill Primary School, 3-6pm
21st - Cramond Primary School, 3-6.30pm
27th - St Peter's RC Primary School, 4-6.30pm
28th - Towerbank Primary School, 3-6pm

February 2015

3rd - Bonaly Primary School, 4.30-7pm
4th - St John's RC Primary School, 3-6pm
25th - Colinton Primary School, 3-6.30pm

Katie Spence, Transport Communications Manager
0131 529 2427
katie.spence@edinburgh.gov.uk

SCHOOL STREETS FAQs:



 

JRSOs Launch Brake's Road Safety Week

 

Junior Road Safety Officers Aidan, Morgan and Kirsty helped launch Brake's Road Safety Week on Monday 17th November at the City Chambers, accompanied by Miss McGrouther. The theme is 'Look Out for Each Other'.' Thank you to Lorna Henderson, CEC Road Safety Officer, for the invite and for the extra special, jam-packed goodie bags for the children!

JRSOs and P4B Lead P4-7 Road Safety Assembly with Sam Moody

Very well done to our Junior Road Safety Officers Kirsty and Morgan (Aidan was unfortunately absent today) and to P4B and Miss McGrouther who superbly led our P4-7 Road Safety Assembly on Friday 14th November. Our JRSOs took us through a 'Be Bright, Be Seen' quiz and P4B demonstrated how reflective clothing and accessories help keep us safe. Grateful thanks to City of Edinburgh's Sustainable Travel Officer, Sam Moody, who helped us understand how we can help drivers notice us, by giving us a lively presentation with volunteers from the audience. His final message was to think about how we can look out for each other by thinking about how we can be bright and be seen. It was lovely to welcome Sam back to Sciennes and we would like to thank him for all the special goodies he brought for our JRSOs. Road Safety week launches on Monday 17th November and our JRSOs have an exciting invitation to Brake's press launch at City Chambers. Thank you to Lorna Henderson for the invite.

Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs)

Be Bright, Be Seen Quiz

Miss McGrouther, Road Safety Co-ordinator

P4B demonstrate reflective clothing

Sam Moody talks Sense!

The only sense drivers can use is Sight, so we need to make sure we can be seen.

Thanks Sam, for helping us to THINK about Road Safety.

Sustrans P6 Active Travel Superheroes!

Sam Moody CEC Sustainable Travel Development Officer with JRSOs Kirsty and Morgan

All 97 of our P6 pupils have undergone Cycle Training and have been great ambassadors for Active Travel to school. In recognition of their achievements, they were awarded Sustran's Superhero badges at our Road Safety Assembly on Friday 14th November. Great that Sam Moody, CEC Sustainable Travel Officer, was able to congratulate them when he delivered a 'Look Out for Each Other' Road Safety Assembly for P4-P7.

P1-3 Road Safety Magic Roadshow

Many thanks to Mark Symonds who arranged the Road Safety Magic Show for P1-3 on Monday 10th November. More hotographs on the P3 Class Pages.

P6 Active Travel Sustrans Superheroes

Our P6 pupils have all undergone Cycle Training and have been great ambassadors for Active Travel to school. In recognition of their achievements, they will be awarded Sustran's Superhero badges at our Road Safety Assembly on Friday 14th November. This ties in nicely with our day of support for Children in Need, which has a Superheroes theme this year, also on Friday 14th November.

Edinburgh 20mph plans a "trailblazer for cities across Europe"

Edinburgh 20mph plans a "trailblazer for cities across Europe"

Kids and parents from Sciennes Primary School took to the streets to help raise awareness of the Council's ongoing 20mph consultation.

National pedestrian charity Living Streets teamed up with Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds, Vice Convener Councillor Adam McVey and children and parents from Sciennes Primary School to encourage participation in the Council's consultation on rolling out 20mph speed limits across the Capital.

Sciennes Primary School is in the city’s south side, which became a 20mph zone under a pilot in March 2013.
Visiting the school, Living Streets Chief Executive Joe Irvin, hailed the Council's 20mph vision as a trailblazer for cities across Europe.
He said: "A city-wide 20 mph scheme will help secure Edinburgh’s place as one of the most walkable, liveable cities in Europe.
"To really appreciate Edinburgh, you have to be on foot. Everyone should find walking safer and easier with lower speed limits - but especially children, parents with buggies and more vulnerable pedestrians. I urge everyone to respond to the Council’s survey."
Cllr Hinds said: "I’m thrilled that Living Streets are backing our drive to bring about a culture change in Edinburgh as far as speed limits are concerned. We want to make sure as many people as possible have had the chance to comment on the proposals and we’ve been absolutely delighted with the number of responses submitted already – approaching 2,000 at the latest count!
"Lower speeds in residential areas and shopping streets are not just good for safety and environmental reasons. Slower traffic makes streets more attractive to residents, pedestrians, cyclists and children, improves the environment for business and enhances quality of life."
Alison Noble, Head Teacher of Sciennes Primary School, said: "As a school community we were really supportive of the pilot programme idea for South Edinburgh and I’m pleased to report that there has been an increase in the number of parents walking with their children or allowing them to cycle to school."
To complete the 20mph consultation, please go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/20mph. The final date to have your say is Friday 17 October 2014.

Kirsty P6C Pedal for Scotland 2014

A big thank you to all of you who so generously supported Kirsty (P6c) on the recent Pedal for Scotland Glasgow to Edinburgh ride. With your help, online and offline she has raised an astounding£1,200 for Parkinsons UK. After an early scare when her gears stopped working, Kirsty made up for lost time: her parents Andy and Jackie saw very little of her until the finish where she waited so that the family could cross the line together. Thanks again to everyone at Sciennes who sponsored her.

Sciennes Ride to School Day Friday 26th September

Come and join us at King's Buildings at 8.20 or join us en route. We cycle along the "quality bike corridor and turn off at Sciennes House Place to arrive before the bell at 8.50.

P6B getting ready for their afternoon cycle

P6A Cycle Trip

P6A enjoyed an afternoon outing on their bikes. Can you spot where they cycled?

 

 

Sciennes School Active Travel Plan Survey

School Travel Plan

To help update our School Travel Plan we would be grateful if you would complete our survey. Link below
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Sciennesparenttravel

Kirsty Pedalling for Charity

On Sunday 7^th September, Kirsty Johnson (P6C) will be cycling 47 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh in the "Pedal for Scotland” event, to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.  

Kirsty has friends whose dad has was diagnosed with Parkinson's aged 39. He has done a lot of fundraising to fight the disease but is now too ill to continue.  Kirsty has taken up the baton and would be grateful if you could support her.

Her parents, Jackie and Andy are going to try to keep up with her on the ride. If you would like to donate please visit our web page:  http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/JacquelineJohnson (which is open until 7/10/14) , or have a word with any of us. Thanks!

Cycle to Work Day Thursday 4th September

 

If you haven't cycled to work or school this term then tomorrow is the day!

 

 

P1A and P1B trying out their cycling skills

Cycling Activities this term

Sciennes encourages Active Travel and it was great to see one of our new P1s cycling with his Mum to school today.

This week and next all P1s will be trying out their cycling skills in the playground I'm sure we will discover many more budding cyclists.

P6 children have started their Bikeability Level 2 and over the next 5 weeks will be developing and consolidating their cycling skills and learning how to cycle safely on-road.
 

 

 

 

Sciennes P5A Cycle Adventure

Ms Owen and her class finished off their cycling skills sessions with a ride along the Innocent Railway path to the play area at Bingham. Thank you to Chris Hill and Ross Crook for photos and video.

Photograph by Ross Crook

On their return journey they stopped off at the Crags to try out the small and fairly challenging skills course which was organised by The Skelf Bikepark

Sciennes Cycle to School Day

Thank you to all who turned out for our last Cycle to School Day this academic session. Great turnout as usual. Let's hope the Roads department fix the pothole on the cycle lane on Causwayside just before Sciennes House Place over the summer holidays. Poor Cerys Gillespie's fell off her bike when her tyre got caught in it, however, she bravely got back on and rejoined the ride. Many thanks to our outriders, Chris, Colin, Ross and Robert. 

P3A Cycling Session

P3A were out having fun on their bikes today.

Sciennes Bike Club Adventures

If you would like your child to join our bike club please email Ross.crook@btinternet.com

P3 Cycle Skills/Learn to Ride a Bike Sessions

Primary 3 children will be bringing their bikes and helmets to school next week. They will learn how to fit their helmets correctly, have a shot at pumping up their tyres, learn how to start and stop safely, learn how to control and manoeuvre their bikes, have some fun on our very own skills course and for those children who haven't quite mastered the art of bike riding we will be helping them achieve their goal. The sessions will be led by qualified cycle trainers who have worked with Sciennes' children for a number of years. 

Bike Curious Family Workshop

Bike Curious family workshop

Is your family bike curious? Would you like to get cycling with your children but don’t know where to start? Or you want to move from baby seat to trailer or tagalong? Our workshop at Sciennes Primary School will help you get pedalling with children on board!

Childcare – and hence family cycling – is more than just a woman’s responsibility but we’ve added this event onto the wider day because we thought it would be helpful for everyone (and it was exactly the sort of thing we would have wanted ourselves). So this day is for everyone, including those without any kids yet of their own.

We’ll have experienced ‘cycling families’ on hand to give you some advice, and show you what you’ll need to get your child attached to your bike safely. You’ll be able to try out a range of equipment, from both front and back mounted baby seats to trailers and tag-alogs. There will be a cycle ride tutor on hand to help you master your riding technique if your child is old enough to ride independently and a Dr Bike to check over any bikes you bring along.

There will also be some bike friendly crafts to try out and plenty of caffeine and cake for anyone that needs it!

We’ll be heading off round the Meadows for a family bike ride at 12 – come and join us!

Track Cycling Opportunities for P7 pupils

Monthly cycle ride this Friday 30th May leaving from King's Buildings at 8.20.

                                                APRIL RIDE

                                                       MARCH RIDE

Sciennes Bike Club Adventures

Great day for cycling and a bit of climbing!