Duloch Primary School
School Travel Plan (STP)
Headteacher: Mrs Laura Spence
School Address:
Nightingale Place
Dunfermline
Fife KY11 8LW
Introduction
Duloch Primary School and Nursery opened to pupils in August 2007 and is situated in the Eastern Expansion of Dunfermline. Our building also houses Calaiswood School, Duloch Leisure Centre and Public Library. The surrounding area consists of new housing developments, large woodland and open park space. In our current year we have a roll of 558 pupils from primary 1 – 7 and an additional 160 nursery children can attend morning and afternoon sessions. Within the building we have 17 classrooms, large gym hall, dinner hall and music room. Our facilities are outstanding which enables us to deliver effective learning opportunities for all of our pupils. These include a well-equipped games hall, access to the community theatre when Covid restrictions allow and well-designed classrooms with ICT resources to promote collaborative working. We have access to an astro turf, a concreted playground with a fenced off garden and, when weather permits, use of a large, grassed area behind the school.
The school Leadership team consist of a Headteacher and 2 Depute Headteachers. There are also 24 class teachers (including Learning Support and part time staff) 1 peripatetic nursery teacher, 24 Early Years Officers, 10 Pupil Support Assistants as well as catering, cleaning and janitorial staff. Cleaning and Janitorial staff are provided by our FES management group. We are one of the cluster of primary schools feeding into Woodmill High School.
Our children participate fully in the life of the school through many opportunities to take on leadership roles within our various councils, committees and action groups. We have an extremely effective Parent Council who support the school through regular fund-raising events and social activities.
Location
The school is situated at the end of Nightingale Place in Dunfermline. It is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) school, sharing the campus with Duloch Library, Duloch Leisure Centre and Calaiswood Primary School. The school shares a large car park to the front. However, the car park is also used by the community campus and is not solely for the use of the school. There is a turning circle in front of the school, but this is for the use of Calaiswood School for the transportation of children in taxis and buses.
Walking routes to the rear of the school encompasses estates including Cromar Drive, Caithness Drive, Tarmachan Road and Vorlich Way.
Site Audit
The school building houses all classrooms, dining hall, gym hall, medical rooms, parents’ rooms classroom shared areas and administration offices. A controlled entry system is in operation and all doors are on lock down during teaching times. There are 2 cycle/scooter shelters, however, in the event of an increase in cyclists we also have a secured area to the rear of the school. The playground is in the centre of the building with an additional grassed area which the children can access when supervised. The school is situated beside a retail unit to the south. A new McDonalds is currently being built adjacent to the school building, beside Tesco. There is a 20 mph speed limit set on Nightingale Place and the surrounding streets.
Access Arrangements
There are two pedestrian gated entrances to the rear and side of the school and one main pedestrian entrance (the tunnel) to the front of the school. The school can be accessed by vehicles along Nightingale Place and into the very large car park. Nursery pupils have a separate secure entrance at the front of the school, but vehicles share the same car park as the school and community. Only those with blue badges should enter the turning circle at the school.
There are very few children currently travelling to and from school by bus or taxi. Parents dropping children off by car use the car park at the front of the school or park on Nightingale Place. The road can be congested particularly from 8.50 until 9.00 am and likewise at the end of the school day or during nursery sessions. A drop off/pick up zone has been created in the car park which has gone some way to alleviate the congestion at the start or end of the school day, however, parents/carers need reminded that their vehicles should not be left unattended in this area, unless in receipt of a nursery parking permit, and reminders are issued through social media, assemblies and newsletters. Nursery parking permits allow the holders 10 minutes grace period, to be used only when no spaces are available within the main carpark, due to the variety of drop off and pick up times for nursery sessions.
Currently, parents do not access the playground in the mornings, children enter through the tunnel at the front of the school building or through one of the two back gates to the school playground. Parent/carers can access the school playground to collect their children at the end of the day through the rear gates into the playground and/or wait for their child outside the front entrance of the school.
Our cycle parking is used well by children on a daily basis. Children are able to park bicycles and scooters in the enclosed area within the school playground as well as scooter stands to the front of the school.
Policy and Objectives
Learning for Sustainability is an integral part of our curriculum at Duloch Primary School and we are aware of the increasing numbers of pupils being transported to school by car. Not only is this detrimental to our environment, each year road traffic accidents cause the majority of accidental deaths of children and young people in Scotland. As a result, there is now a heightened awareness of the physical, social and emotional benefits of active travel to school, as well as the positive environmental impact this can have. Our School Travel Plan is dedicated to supporting active, safe and green ways to travel to school and address historical and ongoing challenges with congestion around the school. It is for these reasons that our school is committed to developing our School Travel Plan.
We have created a Travel Action Group (TAG) to address these issues and to produce and maintain our School Travel Plan. The Travel Action Group is currently made up of staff members, our Junior Road Safety Officers and some parent/carers.
Aims of the School Travel Plan (STP)
- To identify, improve and promote safer routes to school.
- To reduce car usage to and from school, resulting in less congestion and responsible use by parents/carers of the shared car park.
- To improve road safety education and raise awareness of and encourage walking, cycling, scooter and skating as a healthy, beneficial and preferred mode of transport to school.
Benefits of the School Travel Plan
It is hoped that the development of the STP will result in improvements in safety for pupils, parents and staff travelling to and from school and result in the streets around the school becoming less congested. We want our children to be knowledgeable about road safety to ensure they are equipped with these vital life skills. It is also hoped that we can show a commitment to improving both the environment and the health of all those travelling to school by reducing car use where possible, and by positively encouraging walking, cycling, scooter and skating.
Current Travel Patterns
In June 2021, we gathered some data from children and parent/carers in regards to how children travelled to school, how long the journey took, if an adult walked with their child and how parent/carers would prefer their child to travel to school. We collated responses from 153 families with children of all age ranges, from nursery up to Primary 7.
The results can be seen below.
The majority of our pupils live in the catchment area and walk to school.
Further comments from parents/carers
“We need a crossing on the main road leading up to Duloch primary.”
“Unreasonable parking around the school entrance causes problems for those with disabilities.”
“My son has been told to go along to the crossing further along greenshank drive but this involves him crossing a road where there is no crossing to get access.”
“I feel a lollipop person in the area is essential especially with a new McDonald’s being granted permission in the immediate area increasing traffic.”
Mapping Exercise
A mapping exercise was undertaken by each class to identify the most popular routes used by children walking/cycling/scootering to school. The five most popular routes can be seen on the map below.
Route Safety Audit
INTRODUCTION
This report results from an audit of key routes taken by children attending Duloch Primary School at the request of the school to facilitate their School Travel Plan.
The audit team consisted of:
Amanda Sloper – Depute Head Teacher
Marta Ramage – School Travel Plan Coordinator
Iona Fairley – JRSO
Isla Livingstone – JRSO
Millie Gray – JRSO
Emily Simpson – JRSO
A site visit of key routes was carried out on 4th October, 2021
Local streets around the school were audited,
including Greenshank Drive, Turnstone Road,
Nightingale Place, Tarmachan Road
and Sandpiper Drive.
The school is situated at the end of Nightingale Place in Dunfermline. It is a PPP school, sharing the campus with Duloch Library, Duloch Leisure Centre and Calaiswood Primary School. The school shares a large car park to the front. There is a turning circle in front of the school, but this is for the use of Calaiswood Primary.
REAR WALKING ROUTE
The walking route to the rear of the school encompasses estates such as and including Tarmachan Road, Vorlich Way, Sandpiper Road etc.
The school has a rear gate entry off Vorlich Way. This provides a safe and convenient walking access into the school for those staying in this area.
Pupils highlighted that the routes in the area are perfect for active travel to school. Sightlines are clear and although there is a lot of movement with traffic that the area did not seem dangerous.
Pupils did ask if thermoplastics could be installed at drop kerbs as some pupils who cycle to school forgot to stop and look.
Recommendations
The safe walking routes identified during the audit should be highlighted as part of the STP and promoted to parents.
Parking space is limited in Vorlich Place and this route is only suitable for those who are walking. Driving and dropping off within this street should be discouraged. If parking became an issue in this street it would impact upon the safety of pupils walking to school.
ROUTE FROM TERN ROAD
The walking route from Tern Road takes people around the estates adjacent to Tern Road, across Greenshank Drive and either through Duloch Park or up Nightingale Place.
Not everyone from this area utilises the safe walking routes which are available to the school. Crossings are available on Greenshank Drive, but some choose to cross outwith these.
Recommendations
The safe walking routes identified via Tern Road, signal controlled crossings on Greenshank Drive and the access via the park should be highlighted as part of the STP and promoted to parents.
ROUTE FROM PLOVER AREA
The Plover Area is situated just south of the school. It is separated from the school by retail units and their associated car parks. Crossing points on Turnstone Road guide pupils to use this as their route to school either walking through the connecting path alongside Aldi or walking up Turnstone Road.
At the time of the route audit the area towards the top of Turnstone Road was undergoing major construction works, with alterations to existing crossing points and additional crossing points being added.
Pupils noted that Nightingale Place gets extremely busy with vehicles and although the site line gives them clear visibility that they would feel safer with a crossing point just before the bus stop as crossing the road can sometimes be very tricky.
Recommendations
During this time of construction work pupils should be advised that the top area of Turnstone Road should not be used as part of their safer routes to school. They should continue to use the side route at Aldi’s that joins up with Nightingale Place.
School Travel Plan Coordinator to send a request to Traffic Management to assess the area and feedback on their findings.
DULOCH CAMPUS
There is a lot of congestion around Nightingale Place and within the car park. Indiscriminate parking within the car park increases risk for pupils walking to cars which are within the bays. Drivers are also parking on footways causing a danger for pedestrians and in disabled bays without displaying a blue badge.
Recommendations
Through the school travel plan look at ways in which JRSO’s can communicate with parents about mindful parking.
SUMMARY
Duloch Primary school is well served by existing crossing points, footways and cycleways. It enjoys substantial parking which isn’t available at other schools and whilst this is a benefit for those who rely on using the car for school trips, it also encourages car use for those who could choose to walk.
The challenge at Duloch will be encouraging walking to school to reduce congestion and improve safety. This will also develop children’s life skills in relation to road safety. Promoting safe walking routes and seeking the implementation of the recommendations should make the trip to school more enjoyable and encourage more participation in walking.
Key Issues and Barriers
Turnstone Road
A new McDonalds is being built on Turnstone Road which will increase traffic and possibly impact on safety for children travelling to and from school. Due to major construction works and alterations to crossing points, we will be advising pupils to not use this area as a safe route to and from school at this time.
The current zebra crossing on Turnstone Road to access Aldi is needing repainted and pupils feel that a pelican crossing would be safer.
Nightingale Place
There is no designated crossing point on this road which can make crossing here tricky. This road will also be impacted as McDonald’s delivery vehicles will use this route.
Duloch Campus – parking
The car park is used by the school, community campus and library. Irresponsible parking of some people in disabled bays, unauthorised and prolonged use of the drop-off/pick-up zone and out with parking bays is increasing risks for children, as well as some drivers not paying attention to the zebra crossings. The SLT are monitoring this on mornings/afternoons they are available, which helps, but we would like drivers to be more considerate and responsible when using the car park without having to be continually reminded. As a school we could improve on reminding parent/carers more regularly through our social media channels.
Action Plan
The following actions have been identified to help tackle the aims, issues and barriers identified by our School Travel Plan (STP).
| Issue/Aim | Solutions | Who? | Timescale |
| Encourage more active travel to school
· Walk · Cycle · Scooter
|
Whole school involvement in local and national initiatives
· Bike ability training throughout the year (level 1 in P5 and Level 2 in P6 · Walk One Week (WOW)
Information shared on school website and social media about the benefits of active travel to school.
|
Junior Road Safety officers /Travel Action Group/ School Community /SLT | TAG to identify when school will undertake bikeability, WOW etc
Ongoing
|
| Road Safety | Regular opportunities across school session to share information about road safety to children and families.
Whole school involvement in local and national initiatives.
Promote use of safe routes to and from school.
|
Junior Road Safety officers /Travel Action Group/ School Community /SLT | An assembly per term
Road Safety Week – November
Ongoing |
| Car Park | Promote a ‘Parking Pledge’ for parents/carer’s
Regular reminders shared on school website and social media.
SLT to monitor car parking when possible.
|
Junior Road Safety officers /Travel Action Group/ School Community /SLT | Term 3
Ongoing
Ongoing |
| McDonalds
Possibility of more traffic Lack of safe crossing |
TAG to collate feedback from children and families in relation to road safety concerns due to McDonalds being opened.
TAG to contact McDonalds and local councillor |
Junior Road Safety officers /Travel Action Group/ School Community /SLT | Term 2/3
|
| Nightingale Place – No Crossing
Turnstone Road – Zebra Crossing |
Request for Traffic Management to assess the area and feedback on their findings. | School Travel Plan Coordinator | Term 2/3 |
