Pupils' Safety Campaign

Year 9 pupils from the Queen Elizabeth High School, Bromyard are to launch their own road safety campaign to help fellow pupils stay safe during the darker months. 

This came about following a visit by Ann Mann, Road Safety Officer for Herefordshire Council. She was originally approached by Mrs Zagni, Head of Special Needs, with a request to make a visit to the year 9 class to talk about how she organises road safety campaigns.

The pupils decided that they would like to have a go at campaign work following Ann's presentation.

First they decided on a theme and choose the Government's “Be Safe Be Seen” campaign and then they had to work on the publicity and promotional material to run the campaign.        

“They’ve worked as a group and produced artwork for the leaflet and poster,” said Ann Mann.

They’ve written letters asking for funding and produced invitations to be sent out to local dignitaries including the mayor of Bromyard and Councillors, inviting them along to the launch.

Ann added: "The pupils have produced such good work it was difficult for the group to choose one particular leaflet due to the artwork being exceptional.”

She also said that it was a good opportunity for the pupils to be involved in a real working life situation and for them to work on a campaign from start to finish.

The pupils, who all have learning difficulties, decided on the winning leaflet designed by 13-year-old Andrew Stocker. This will be produced by Herefordshire Council. It will then be distributed by the class to all pupils at the school after the launch of the campaign.

The pupils will also be sending out a press release in the hope they will get media coverage for the launch, which will be on TUESDAY 21ST OCTOBER AT 8.45am during assembly at the Queen Elizabeth High School, Bromyard.

The message they will be giving will be around how to stay safe when out and about during the darker days and nights. This is especially important this time of the year because we will be altering the clocks at the end of the month.

Some of their tips include:

· At night wear bright or light coloured, better still something reflective.
· Put reflective strips on clothing.
· Fluorescent materials are good in bad weather; they show up in daylight and at dusk or dawn.
· Make certain if using a bike that the lights are clean and in good working order. Have a white light on the front and red rear light that is not flashing.
· Always remember the green cross code and find a safe place to cross.
· Drivers do not always see so well in the dark and we need to allow for this.

Mrs Zagni said: "The pupils are very nervous about standing up in front of their peers during assembly to talk about their campaign and at the thought of the media publicity they may get at the launch.

“They’re also very excited at the prospect of having their photograph in the papers. They now have a good idea of all the hard work that is involved in pulling campaigns together."

Ann said: "I believe one of the best ways of passing on information is via peers and this, I think, is a first for Herefordshire, well done to all the pupils involved.

“If it is successful we may well use the publicity material in other schools.”