Walking Bus
Forms and Formalities
Junior Conductor Scheme
One major criticism of Walking Bus schemes in the past was that it stops older children from walking independently to school. It is important that older Juniors gain enough independence to walk to school confidently and safely without adults. This prepares them for when they start secondary school. Therefore we do not recommend that Juniors who have gained that independence join the Walking Bus every day.
However, if older Juniors are not involved, the Walking Bus gets an image of being just for the infants and un-cool for all Juniors. So then those Juniors who are not old enough to walk alone are driven to school by their busy parents.
 To solve this dilemma we have developed the Junior Conductor Scheme. Juniors join the scheme as official helpers, receive training from a Community Police Officer and are issued with Junior Conductor badges.
They are not merely token helpers but do really help with the younger children. Infants who previously would only walk next to Mum now walk side by side with Juniors who enjoy their responsible role. This can build friendships between children of different ages from the same neighbourhood. The Juniors are also gaining better road safety skills which helps prepare them for secondary school.
At Safe-Kids-Walking we are working with Northamptonshire Police to develop this scheme further.
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