In order to support health and safety and assessing risk at the new Pump Track beside our school we have taken P4-7 over for a visit. Although the Pump Track is not part of our school we know it is very tempting for our children on their way to and from school, so we wanted to support them with making decisions about the track.
First of all we discussed tips Miss Burton had previously shared with us:
- ALWAYS wear a helmet, and elbow and knee pads.
- Ask permission from your parents/ carers.
- Only use your own bike/ scooter.
- Read the safety signs.
- Don’t use the track before school, unless agreed with your parent/ carer.
- Don’t walk on the track if people are cycling.
We read the safety signs at the track.
We risk assessed the track, to discuss which parts we thought might be tricky.
Then we walked, fast walked or jogged around the track. This helped to give us a feel for what the track is like. Some of us even thought it would be good to do our daily mile on the track.
Some of our children who are very confident at using the track, volunteered to take part in a photo shot to promote the track by West Lothian Council. You will see that they are all wearing a helmet.