Cycling is an effective sustainable mode of travel to school, however, all pupils cycling must be made aware of the need for safety and security when cycling.

The National Standard Cycle Training is a progressive scheme that moves through three levels to give parents the reassurance that their children have the necessary skills and confidence to cycle to school. Children are encouraged to achieve all three levels of training.

Our Instructors have all successfully completed a National Standard Cycle Instructor training course, are experienced competent cyclists who cycle regularly in today’s traffic conditions. All our instructors have been cleared to work with children and hold a First-Aid certificate.

Cycle Training

Level 1

For children in school year 5 when they start to cycle on off-road facilities or when supervised by adults. The course covers bike safety, starting off and stopping, steering, gears, and giving signals

• Maximum of 6 children per group
• Approximately 2 hours training time, as a 1 x 2 hour session held off road in a playground or other suitable traffic free location
• Ideally this training should be received in the Spring or Summer terms in advance of Level 2 training in the Autumn term of year 6

Level 2

For children in school year 6 aged 10 and over (or where courses are conducted in the Summer Term, children must be 10 years of age or over before 31st August of that year)

• The course refreshes Level 1 manoeuvres plus turning & emerging left & right at junctions
• Maximum of 6 children per group
• Approximately 8 hours training time, usually split up into 4 x 2 hour sessions held initially in the playground then moving onto a local road junction
• Ideally this training should be spread over a number of weeks with no more than a week between session and completed in the first term of Year 6, providing the opportunity for children to cycle to school unaccompanied for most of their final year.

Level 3

For children who have completed Level 2 (either before the end of primary school or early in secondary school)

The course refreshes Level 2 manoeuvres and takes place on busy roads incorporating real traffic conditions, and advanced road features where possible, eg roundabouts and traffic light controlled junctions

• Maximum of 2 trainees to 1 same gender instructor
• One or two hours, although two hours are recommended to cover everything
• If based at school, ideally this training should be received in the Autumn term of Year 7