Bike training for pupils who have free school meals

Image caption, The council has received funding to support its walking and bicycle training programme
  • Author, Emily Dalton
  • Role, Local Democracy Reporter

Free cycling and walking training is set to be delivered to support primary school children who receive free school meals in Surrey, the council has said.

Surrey County Council (SCC) has received funding to support its walking training programme for children in Year 3 and bike training for children in Years 4 to 6.

Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, said every child "should have the opportunity to cycle and walk to school safely".

He added the scheme will ensure "all school children can take advantage of these vital road safety schemes and that no one is left behind".

The walking training programme is for school children in Year 3 and delivered by the council's walking instructors, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Children learn road safety skills which prepare them for independent travel.

The scheme was launched in June 2022, and more than 9,000 children have used it.

According to the council, it costs 拢6 per pupil, and used to cost 拢3 for those who received free school meals.

Mr Furniss said: 鈥淚t is essential that children are safe, so I鈥檓 delighted that this funding will ensure all school children can take advantage of these vital road safety schemes and that no one is left behind.鈥

About 23,481 school children in Surrey were eligible for free school meals at the start of the year, equivalent to 14.3% of all pupils in the area, according to Department of Education data.

The percentage of children in Surrey schools who were eligible for free school meals has increased by 71% in the last five years from 8.6% in 2018 to 2019 to 14.7% in 2023 to 2024.

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