This year I have taken on an additional role in school as the Environmental and Sustainability Lead for the school. As part of this role I will be developing a Climate Action Plan which will contain many features, but one of the 4 Pillars is Decarbonisation and reaching Net Zero. Reducing the carbon emissions from cars and buses will be a crucial part of this.

 We know the nature of our school can make travel difficult, but we encourage parents to get students to use public transport where possible. Where students get organised coaches, we encourage parents to ask the companies they hire what they do to maintain their vehicles and reduce carbon. We know that despite the challenges of getting to school many in our school community want to do the best thing for our children’s safety and the health of the environment. 

 We also would like to create a space around the school that has as clean air as possible.  Air pollution not only contributes to climate change but is also linked to a range of health conditions and is one of the biggest risks to public health in the UK today. Children, with their developing lungs, are especially at risk. The recent success of the ULEZ and improving children’s lung health highlights this further. Can parents dropping off their children please consider a ‘Park and Stride’ approach by finding an appropriate and safe place further away from the school to drop off and encourage them to walk five minutes, rather than being dropped at the entrance? This has multiple benefits for the school and local community regarding air quality but also congestion around Central Square and Bigwood Road.

 This message also serves as a reminder about the yellow zigzag road markings with the writing ‘School Keep Clear’ at both our entrances. These are in force from 8am to 4.15pm every day. Stopping on these markings for any reason during these times is illegal. This is true of any vehicle whether it be a bus, coach or car. There are no exceptions apart from emergency vehicles. This includes dropping a student off regardless of how long you are waiting. We ask that parents also communicate this to coach drivers. It is worrying how many coach drivers seem willing to break the law in this way when transporting your children to school. Local councils can issue motorists with penalty charge notices (PCN) for waiting, stopping, or parking on yellow zigzags if restrictions are in place. More  importantly, inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside schools puts lives at risk.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping HBS students safe. 

Kind regards,

 Mr Simon Peterson (Head of Geography and Environmental Lead)