Year 7 orientation - independent travel
Suitable for secondary schools, supports Transition and the Citizenship National Curriculum
Overview
Programme
Education phase
Category of activity
ConsultationTypes of activity
How it helps
- Helps ensure Year 7 students and significant adults know how under 16s can access free bus and tram travel
- Reminds Year 7 students to be safe and considerate on public transport
- Helps identify barriers to active and sustainable travel
Useful Resources
Yr 7 Orientation Travel For Life Adaptable Parents Survey Template Short Version Adaptable Parents Survey Template Full Version Y7 Orientation Zip Oyster A3 Poster Zip Oystercard Newsletter Article TemplateUseful Links
How to apply for a Zip Oyster card Rule of travel for under 18sAbout the activity
Year 7 Orientation is a great time to share information about active, safe and responsible travel with your new families and pupils and find out what influences their travel choices. Promoting active travel reduces congestion around the school, reduces crowding on buses, and helps the pupils get more activity in their day.
Many pupils will have longer journeys and may be travelling by bus for the first time alone. Make sure they and their significant adults understand the rules around travel and ticketing, especially how to get a Zip Oystercard to claim free travel, and how to get help and navigate around when travelling independently. This can help allay fears about pupils using public transport alone.
Remember, nine out ten Year 6 pupils on London will have had TfL session preparing them for independent travel, and it’s important to reinforce that information.
How to evidence your activity
Take a screengrab of any emails you sent to families about travel or take a photo of the Oystercard poster in situ at school. Record any feedback you get at orientation sessions, or save the survey results
Activity steps
Step 1
Agree with the person leading Orientation activities about including these resources in the activities
Step 2
Set the date: if your school is having an Orientation evening, show some of the relevant slides, and tell parents they will be asked to share their opinions and ask questions after the session.
Step 3
Ask significant adults to feedback.
Step 4
You could print out the short survey and get a group of older students to ask some families to fill it in at the Orientation session, or you could send it out by email afterwards. Tip – using an online form like SurveyMonkey or MS Forms makes it much easier. It's quick to paste the questions in and saves a lot of time later!
Step 5
Share the useful information in the school newsletter, especially around getting a Zip Oystercard
Step 6
Collate the results of the survey and use it to identify issues affecting active or sustainable travel.
Step 7
Print the poster and put it on your School Travel Notice board or other place for Year 7 students to see.