Parents also tell us they find the journey to school less stressful, their petrol bill goes down, their children perform better at school and that they, and their children, feel healthier and fitter. Research shows that 90% of parents who walk to school tell us how important this time is for spending quality time with their children. Over a third tell us that the journey to school is also where they find out the most about their child’s life.

To celebrate National Walk to School Week we spoke to one head teacher about the benefits of walking to school, and how the school is taking part in this national campaign.

Miss Lucas is the Head at Clive C of E Primary School in North Shropshire. The school is situated half way up Grinshill, surrounded by the beautiful Shropshire countryside. Due to its unique location it’s practically inaccessible by car so the children who attend have no choice but to walk to school, but that offers them and their families certain benefits.

Health
Miss Lucas told us that ‘It’s healthy to walk to school. In school we cover maintaining good health, well-being and eating healthily through PSHE, science and extra-curricular activities. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and walking to school is a great way to help get those minutes up!’

Research shows that up to 72% of children aren’t meeting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise per day and according to the NHS, 9 out of 10 children could grow up with life threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease partly because they aren’t getting enough exercise. The journey to and from school is an ideal time for children to be active.

Walking with your children is good for parents too – it improves your heart and circulation, increases mental health and wellbeing, helps with weight loss and boosts your immune system.

Discovery
Miss Lucas told us that ‘On the walk up to school children are listening, looking and enjoying the outdoors; they talk in awe and wonder about what they have discovered on the walk into school. They see and explore their natural environment in all seasons and all weathers, and learn about the world around them by experiencing it first-hand. The school makes the most of its unique location, and will take the children to see fox cubs in the land around the school for example, and encourage the children to discover and learn before they have even stepped foot on the playground.’

Walking to school is educational, it can help your child build independence, road safety and social skills.

Safety
Miss Lucas told us that ‘In school we do a lot with the children about safety and awareness on the roads, alongside deciding how and where to cross the road safely. Due to the rural location of the school we also have to consider safely walking down roads where there are no footpaths, and also if children are finishing after school clubs in the winter and it is starting to get dark how they can keep themselves safe. We also have the Road Safety Officer visit school to talk about keeping safe and we also support children who may travel by bicycle.’

Sadly around 1,400 children aged 0–11 are killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads every year. That’s around 27 children a week. But let’s get one thing clear: it’s still important for children to be outside. Talking about traffic with your child when you’re out and about is one of the best ways for him or her to learn. By walking to school you can set a good example to your child, showing them that you do not take risks when crossing the road. You can hold the hand of a younger child, or make sure your child is walking on the side of the pavement away from the traffic, or if there is no pavement then they are walking on the side of the road facing ongoing traffic.

Eco-friendly
Miss Lucas told us that ‘We have an eco-committee in school and through this group and the work we do in school, children become very aware of looking after our environment and natural world. Walking to school enables the children to see how others are also caring for the world around them, making sure there is no litter or rubbish on the route up to school, and acting responsibly and sensibly should they see any litter damage. The children also know that is it better for the environment not to be relying on cars for short journeys and how walking to school will help to reduce their carbon footprint.’

Walking to school is better for the environment. Research shows that one person switching five journeys of fewer than 2 km a week from the car to walking would reduce their carbon footprint by 86 kg a year. In the UK the school run is estimated to be responsible for over 2 million tonnes of CO2 emitted each year which is more than the annual CO2 emissions of the Bahamas. More people walking and fewer cars on the road during the school run also means less pollution for everyone to breathe in. 1 in 5 cars in the morning rush hour is on the school run – if we all try walking that journey more often, we will make a huge impact on congestion in our towns and cities.

It will also save you money. Walking to school instead of driving saves, on average, £400 per year.

Social Time
Miss Lucas told us ‘As most of our children walk some or all of the way to school we have adapted Walk to School Week to suit our school. This year we are planning a whole school walk around the bottom of Grinshill, which is approximately 3 kilometres and will take the children about an hour and a half to complete. We don’t steer the children, and they walk at their own pace. Older children will choose to walk with some of the younger children and all age groups will get the chance to mix. It’s a really enjoyable and sociable time for the school.’

Walking to school is a great chance to socialise. Research shows that 62% of parents who walk to school say their children get to socialise with others before they arrive at the school gates, as opposed to only 31% of children who are driven. As parents you may also get to meet other parents at school too.

So during Walk to School Week why not think about making a small change. If it isn’t possible to walk the whole way to school, then park a bit further away and walk some of the way. There is a lot more information on how you can be involved in Walk to School Week on the Living Streets website Living Streets – Walk to School, where much of the information in the blog was taken from.

Special thanks to Miss Lucas Head Teacher at Clive C of E Primary School for agreeing to be interviewed as part of this blog.

This information is has kindly been prepared by the School Nursing Team in Shropshire

Who are we?
School nurses support health and wellbeing programmes for all children and young people aged 5-19 in schools and the wider community having smoothly taken over from health visitors, who provide services from pregnancy to the first five years of life. Children and young people have told school nurses that they want a confidential, accessible and visible service.
School nurses are qualified nurses with various additional qualifications. School nurses have a specialist public health qualification and/or extensive experience of working with children, young people and their families.

What do we do?
Our aim is to help keep children and young people healthy throughout their school years in order for them to reach their full potential and make informed healthy lifestyle choices.
School nurses provide confidential advice, care and support to children, young people, parents and carers through a range of key services including:
• Anaphylaxis and asthma training for schools, children, young people and their families
• Audiology
• Crucial Crew and Safety Scene health promotion
• Day and night time wetting (enuresis) clinics across Shropshire
• Health education and promotion
• HPV vaccinations
• National Childhood Measurement Programme for reception and year 6 children
• Safeguarding and support for children in need
• Secondary school drop-in sessions – CHAT (Confidential Health & Advice for Teens)
• Support with individual health needs and long-term health conditions

No problem or issue is too big or too small; we can put you in touch with a range of agencies that can help.

How can you contact your school nurse?

Each school will have the relevant contact details for their named school nurse; alternatively you can find contact numbers on the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust website: www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/rte.asp?id=10072

Thank you to Shropshire’s School Nurses

So what do we mean when we talk about the autism spectrum? All children with autism have difficulties with communication and making sense of the world around them. It’s a spectrum condition because even though all children with autism share particular difficulties, the way it affects each individual is very different – some children will grow up to lead independent lives while others will need lifelong care.  Autism does not only affect the person diagnosed, but living with and caring for a child on the spectrum has a huge impact on the entire family, parents and brothers and sisters.

There are a range of conditions that fall within the autism spectrum and Asperger Syndrome is one of them. Children with Asperger Syndrome don’t have difficulties with spoken language or have learning disabilities, and in fact many are very intelligent, but they have difficulties in processing language and with social skills.

Throughout World Autism Awareness month we hope to raise awareness of the uniqueness of children with autism – autism is more than Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man! – and to celebrate the many achievements of children and adults with autism.

Autism West Midlands is the leading charity in the West Midlands for people affected by autism. We are holding events across the region during April. In Shropshire where Shropshire Council and the local NHS Trust fund an Autism West Midlands service, we are holding a family event at the Barnabas Church Centre in Coleham, Shrewsbury on Friday 5 April, 10am and 2pm. There will be fun and games for the children, a craft table, Lego area, sensory trail and autism friendly professionals on hand to give information or provide services including a photographer, hair dresser and a chiropodist. Entry is free for children and only £1 for adults, although there will be additional charges for some services. There’s no need to book just turn up on the day.

Autism West Midlands has been working in Shropshire for six years and earlier this year had some good news when we learnt of the renewal of our funding contract, taking us up to March 2015. Last month we moved offices so are now based in the Shrewsbury Multi Agency Team at Richmond House, Harlescott and continue to offer the same mix of services to families of children under 18 years who are, or who may be, on the autism spectrum (children need not be diagnosed to access our service). We offer

• Advice to parent/carers at our regular face to face advice sessions at venues all over Shropshire, including advice and resources to help parents deal with difficult behaviours (to book an appointment call the helpline number below)
• Training workshops for parents on a variety of topics from our annual six week course “Rising to the Challenge, understanding your child’s autism” to one off workshops on particular issues like “I’m growing up – how to support your child through the teenage years”
• Short breaks activities and family events – we run Photography workshops, Music workshops and Saturday Clubs for children (without their parents) and family events and trips out for the whole family including parents and brothers and sisters.

To join our e-mailing list to receive regular updates about our activities email hilarym@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

To find out more information about Autism West Midlands services in Shropshire and across the West Midlands call the autism helpline on 03 03 0300 111 or email info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

http://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/AutismWM?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/autismwestmids

Our Little Rocket

We have an extra special girl, sent from up above,
A special girl with extra special needs,
That requires complete unconditional love.

A “lightbulb” is the description for her I use,
Once “switched on” she is totally gone,
Gone inside her own little bubble,
Of worry and anger and feeling all alone.

“She just needs discipline” I so often hear,
Why can’t people understand?,
The puzzle that goes on inside her head,
While she lives in her own unique land.

It hurts so much when she turns and asks,
“Why can’t I be like you”?
As I wipe away a tear and try to hold her close,
I try to understand why she won’t hug me to.

I’d love to get inside her head,
And try to understand,
Instead I watch from outside her world,
While I tightly hold her hand.

She was sent to us for a reason,
Someone knew we would love her forever,
no matter what is thrown at us, day or night,
We will walk along this path together.

Love my Hollie rocket so much xxxxxx

ASD diagnosed Nov 2012

If you would like further information about Autism then please get in touch on 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@Shropshire.gov.uk

Well there is something to help. Parenting workshops and groups provide easy to implement, proven parenting solutions that can help and prevent future problems before they arise. It is about looking at what you are already doing well and building on that to make it even better. In Shropshire you can attend a Parenting Group or a Parenting Workshop to support you in your role as a parent.

Parenting groups are run over 6 – 10 weeks and encourage parents and carers to identify the most important issues in their relationship with their child and to reflect on why things sometimes go well and sometimes do not.  It is then easier for the parent to identify how to work together with their child. Although the parenting group is not intended to be a therapy group, there is time over the group for parents and carers to explore some of the emotional pressures they are under, some of which may relate to their child and some to the way they were parented themselves.

The parenting group aims to:

• Promote understanding of children’s behaviour within the context of developmental issues
• Promote the development of parent/child relationship
• Increase confidence and self-esteem in both parents and children
• Give parents a strategy for repair when things go wrong
• Promote reflective, sensitive and effective parenting.

At a parenting workshop, you will discover and talk over new ways to build the relationship between you and your child, ways to achieve good behaviour and strategies to help when faced with difficult situations. The workshops follow the principles of positive parenting.

The five key principles of positive parenting

1. Ensuring a safe, interesting environment where children can explore, experiment and develop their skills
2. Creating a positive learning environment by being available when children need help, care or attention
3. Using assertive discipline by being consistent and acting quickly when children misbehave
4. Having realistic expectations for children, and for yourself as a parent
5. Taking care of yourself as a parent, and ensuring that your personal needs are met

Groups are aimed at parents of children and young people aged 0 – 18 years and are free to attend. Groups are delivered by professionals across Shropshire actively working with and supporting families.

To find out about parenting groups and workshops in your area, please contact Shropshire Family Information Service for further information on 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@Shropshire.gov.uk

But, sooner or later, you may want your baby or toddler to go to an early learning and childcare setting, for example if you are starting back at work or for your child to take up their free Nursery Education funding. As a parent or carer you may find this quite daunting.

A recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme ‘How Safe is your Child’s Nursery’, may have left parents feeling confused and unsure about using childcare, after all parents want the experience to be as good as possible and for the young ones to be happy in this new and very big outside world. In Shropshire we believe that every child matters and we want to help you choose childcare that suits the particular needs of your child and family.

So, what should you look for when choosing quality childcare?

• When considering the best option for your child you should visit a number of settings when there are children present. This will give you a feel for what it’s like for a child there. Do the children have a say in what they are doing? And are all of the children’s individual needs being met?
•  If at all possible take your child with you to see how they react to the environment and talk to other parents who use the setting to find out what they think about it. Think about welcome you and your child are made to feel and how the staff not only inter-react with the children but also how they relate to you as a parent and plan to involve you in your child’s learning and development.
• You should expect to see a variety of activities available that are appropriate to the stage of learning and development for your child and think to yourself, ‘Do all the children look happy and engaged in a range of stimulating activities?’ Does the setting seem like a child friendly environment? Children should have access to an outside play area and be able to play and learn outdoors throughout the day. What is the outdoor space like?
• One of the biggest worries for parents if knowing how safe their child would be at the setting. You should ask staff what measures they have to place to safeguard children, what risk assessments they carry out, what training and qualifications the staff have, what policies and procedures are in place, what security is like at the setting, and also how do they encourage positive behaviour between the children.
• You can also read a copy of the settings latest Ofsted inspection report which will give you an account of how Ofsted view the setting. The judgements Ofsted give are Outstanding, Good, Satisfactory or Inadequate. You should also ask the setting if they have received any complaints from parents, and ask for a copy of their complaints policy.

 A good setting will understand why you are asking these questions, so ask as many as you want before making your decision.

 Whatever childcare you choose for your baby or child you will have the peace of mind that all registered providers are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau, are inspected by Ofsted and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, the focus of which is on meeting the individual needs of each child.

 Remember there is no precise recipe for quality. Every setting will have a different feel and a different philosophy so it’s vital to find out what best suits you and your child.

 If you would like further information about available childcare in Shropshire or if you have concerns about the quality of a childcare setting then please get in touch on 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk

For many parents a good way forward is to sign up for a course of baby swimming lessons to ensure that baby’s first swim is safe and memorable for all the right reasons.  The good news is that lessons specifically designed for babies are becoming increasingly popular with an increasing number of leisure centres and health clubs offering specialist sessions run by qualified and knowledgeable staff.  There are numerous reasons for this surge in interest in baby swimming:

Fun

First and foremost swimming is lots of fun for all the family, and joining in with a structured swimming lesson scheme helps teach parents how to enjoy the water safely with their child whilst enjoying games songs and fun activities with their little one at the same time.

Great for families

Swimming is something everyone can participate in; attending specialist infant swimming classes are a great opportunity for you to bond with your child, allowing important interaction with babies that allow them to feel secure and safe. There are also lots of other parents with their babies, so classes can be a great way to socialise too.

Helps children develop physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially.

Selecting a swimming lesson programme designed specifically for babies means that your child will not only experience the physical benefits of being in the water but will also develop emotionally and socially through interaction with others, and intellectually through participation in games, songs and fun activities specially selected to aid the children’s development.

Keeps your baby active, fit and healthy.

Research has shown that swimming can have a positive impact on baby’s sleeping and eating patterns.  It also develops healthy exercise habits that will stay with your baby as they grow.

There are many things you can do to prepare your child for the first session.  Bath time is a fantastic way of fostering a love of water from an early age, and is ideal for initial introduction to water as it takes place in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you in water which is warmer than the average swimming pool.  Early activities splashing about in the bath with toys and watering cans help children become accustomed to being in the water, which makes the transition to swimming lessons go much more smoothly when the time comes.

If you are interested in in enrolling you baby or child for swimming classes you may want to consider the Shropshire Swim Academy lessons at venues across Shropshire, which are run by professional, highly trained swimming instructors.  Please contact your nearest centre to book a place.

Quarry Swimming Centre: 01743 257870

Whitchurch Swimming Centre: 01948 662187

Oswestry Leisure Centre: 01691 659349

Much Wenlock Leisure Centre: 01952 727629

Market Drayton Swimming Centre: 01630 655177

Bridgnorth Leisure Centre: 01746 761541

Most Shropshire parents whose children are ready to start school will have received a letter from the School Admissions Team at Shropshire Council giving advice on how and where to make application and also where to find further information.  You may like to visit a school to look around, and so you will need to make contact with the school to arrange this.

Shropshire Council produces an information booklet called the “Parents’ Guide to Education” which is designed to help you go through the school admission process.  To access the booklet, click here  where further information on starting primary school can be found on pages 11 to 15. Reference copies of the booklet are also held in schools and libraries.

Once you have decided on your preferred schools, you can make application online through the Shropshire Council website  

What to do now:

1. Consider which are your preferred schools.
2. Read the relevant pages of the Parents’ Guide or contact the Admissions Team.
3. Decide which schools you would like to apply for.  You should name 3 schools, especially if your preferred school is not your nearest or catchment school.
4. Make your application online or telephone 0345 678 9008 if you do not have internet access.

If you make your application online then you will be able to view your individual result on the Shropshire Council website from midnight on 17th April 2013.  Otherwise you will have to wait for your letter which will be posted by second class post on 16^th April.