A new road safety course is being launched for primary school children.

The Walkability course aims to provide children with the skills and confidence to safely walk to school independently.

From September, primary schools across Devon can sign up for the free two-hour course.

The course, co-designed by teachers, is specifically for children aged 3 to 6.

It is delivered by Active Devon on behalf of Devon County Council (DCC) and funded by Vision Zero South West.

The most recent session was held on Friday, September 20, at St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy in Exeter.

The children participated in a practical session, learning road safety rules, understanding road signs, the Green Cross Code, navigating road crossings, identifying safe routes, and the importance of staying vigilant.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s cabinet member for highway management, Colin Savage, DCC’s safer travel officer, and Councillor Carol Whitton, the chair of the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), were present at the session.

Councillor Hughes, who is also vice chair of Vision Zero Southwest, said: "This fantastic course is being offered to school children aged between 7 and 11, the age when many parents are starting to share knowledge on road safety awareness, before considering allowing their children to travel to school independently.

"It integrates classroom learning with real-world experiences, giving children the tools to help them navigate their surroundings confidently and safely.

"It’s been designed in such a way that support can be offered to a school when it is most needed, and it is available free to all primary schools across the Devon County Council area."

Councillor Carol Whitton, the member for Heavitree and Whipton and chair of HATOC, said: "I’m so pleased that schools are being offered this free course, and I would encourage schools to sign up as soon as they can.

"It’s important for children to be active and part of that is walking to school as it means that they are alert and ready to learn when lessons begin.

"This course will help ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe when they are ready to begin to walk to school independently."

Karen Leach, the headteacher of St Michael’s CofE Primary Academy, said: "Having regularly worked closely with Active Devon every child has the opportunity to undertake Bikeability and learn how to safely use roads on their bikes.

"Walkability will educate the children to be more aware of not just how they can be safe as they negotiate local streets but also make them aware of other pedestrians and also road users.

"Walkability skills will be life lessons that will enable children to be proactive, safe citizens in the future."

Louise Marshall from Active Devon said: "Many of us remember learning about the Green Cross Code when we were at school and this programme delivers practical advice, through different scenarios and training, to enable children to feel more confident when in and around traffic, and where possible, on that walk to and from the school gates."

Once a school has booked the training course, parents will receive letters outlining the details of the Walkability training.

After completing the two-hour training, each child will take home a booklet detailing what has been taught, enabling parents to continue the learning experience at home.

Schools interested in the training should complete a form, which can be found on the Devon County Council website.