News

Safer Travel Training Trip with the SEND Department

On Thursday 30^th March 2023, we took a selection of Year 7 students with varying SEND levels and needs on a bus tour trip to and around the area of Wanstead. The purpose of this trip was to practice how to use their Zip/Oyster pass correctly and how to conduct themselves in a responsible and polite manner. The trip was led and delivered by the Met Police and TFL to teach our young people how to be safe and to be aware of the dangers when travelling on public transport.

We first started off by getting on the 145 bus from Loxford lane to Wanstead station. When we arrived to the station there was a private bus designated for the students where they were greeted by the bus driver and TFL staff members. The bus driver said what a difference it can make to his day when greeted by passengers with a smile and hello, which all our students did. They explained about the possible dangers you could encounter when travelling on public transport at any time of the day. He explained the correct use of travel cards, fines you could encounter if you share the use of your card or fail to tap and what to do if you have happen to lose it. He also informed the students about different types of travel such as the bus, taxi, train and how to use these safely and with manners. The students found the discussions very insightful and liked the opportunities to show and develop their knowledge through answering and asking their own questions.

We then got off the bus and were showed where to read bus times and the bus stop name and the route it will take. As they were at the bus stop talking as a group, a stranger approached them holding a leash and a phone saying ‘I have lost my dog in the park. Can you follow and help me find him please’. The students all remained silent and stepped back as they sensed that this was the correct thing to do to avoid stranger danger. This scenario was safe and was orchestrated by the TFL team and the police to show the students what could potentially occur when waiting at a bus stop, they were also informed on what to do if this situation was to happen.

They practiced road safety; crossing the road safely and what measures are in place to those who are visually impaired or deaf. They then returned to the bus stop to wait for their bus. When they got on the bus, two ladies also followed and sat at the back. One was playing music very loud and the other reacted asking her to be quiet. The students remained silent and did not interfere. This was the correct thing to do as advised by the TFL staff. They were told if they ever experience this situation, they should move away and when safe to inform the driver.

There was a question and answer session at the end of the day to allow students the opportunity to share any additional points they wanted to raise. This was a very educational trip and the students thoroughly enjoyed it. They were engaged, inquisitive and behaved impeccably. On the journey back to school they could not stop talking about what they had learnt, especially two of our transport enthusiasts; Nuhash and Miguel. The team was also kind enough to let us take a group photo to mark the unique opportunity given by TFL to be part of their operations.