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The children of Fochriw Primary School had an important message during their special safety assembly on September 18: “Twenty is Plenty”.

This message sounded familiar – given that Wales is now one of the few countries in the world to have a default 20mph speed limit in residential and busy pedestrian areas as of September 17.

But in truth, getting behind the government’s 20mph speed limit was a bit of good timing – the children had already thought of it themselves.

This is because Fochriw Primary School has focused on active travel for the last two years with Sustrans, the charity which aims to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.

One of their findings was that there should be a 20mph speed limit outside of their own school for safety reasons.

This assembly, then, was extra special as students were not only highlighting the importance of the 20mph but were also receiving a Silver Active Travel Award from Sustrans for all their hard work.

Headteacher of Fochriw Primary School, Mrs Sharon Pascoe, spoke to pupils, teachers, parents, carers and visitors at the “very special assembly” and said the “most important people giving the message are children”.

During the assembly, some students – the active travel champions – read an acrostic poem on the importance of the speed limit, with messages like “N” is for “never” – never break the speed limit.

There was also a presentation on their work throughout the last year, which included walking and cycling to school challenges, special assemblies on topics such as road safety, and bike maintenance sessions.

Mrs Pascoe, who had initially signed the school up for the programme, praised the teacher who had led the project and said: “[The] work Miss Dash has done with the children is outstanding.”

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Miss Dash explained more about how she became involved and said: “I’m like the sporty one really, so I got involved.”

After receiving the bronze award from Sustrans in 2022, it was on to silver for the 2022/23 academic year – before the school aims for gold this year.

The students have learnt a lot through the process, according to Miss Dash.

“They’ve been learning a lot about greenhouse gases and things and how it’s important to use your cars less,” said Miss Dash.

This led to focusing on idling – waiting in cars with their ignitions running – which the students managed to reduce through a process of measuring oxygen levels outside the school and talking to their parents and carers.

Miss Dash said she had also seen changes in the habits of children at the school which included “more cycling and more scooting”.

She continued: “At the start of this year, [before] we even mentioned active travel, there were quite a few of them on their scooters coming up and I was like yes – that’s what we like to see.”

‘If it saves one life it’s well worth it’

Chair of Governors Jamie Elliott and Governor Fr Darren Lynch were also there to show support – as were councillors Carol Andrews and Robert Chapman.

Cllr Andrews, who is the council’s cabinet member for education and communities, said: “I think it’s just really important to support the school and everything they’re doing with active travel, and Sustrans.

“It was just really good timing with the introduction of the new speed limit.”

Cllr Andrews, who supports the new speed limit, continued: “It was unanimously backed at council. You’ve only got to look at the fatality rates.

“Doing these assemblies we’re starting young…these children are our future and they’re going to be used to it and this is what we need.”

Cllr Chapman, who is also a county councillor and school governor, said that while the introduction of the law might be “strange” at first it is worthwhile: “I’m a believer of if it saves one life it’s well worth it.”

Cllr Chapman also received the student’s safety survey – which highlighted the need for 20mph and more speed bumps.

The traffic calming bumps were taken away due to safety concerns – but thanks to the work of the students will now be replaced.

“I contacted the council to replace the traffic calming that is missing outside, said Cllr Chapman, “so, they’re doing that.”

Abi Roberts, Active Journeys Officer South East Wales for Sustrans Cymru, was on hand to present the silver award and praised their hard work.

“They’re a real great example of a great school,” said Ms Roberts.

She continued: “They’re so enthusiastic, the students, the staff. They’ve worked so hard towards the Active Travel School Award.”

Ms Roberts added that “any school in Wales can take part” in the Active Travel School Award and urged schools to “get involved”.

More information on the Active Travel School Award can be found on Sustrans’ website.