As a school community we must make every effort to limit the number of cars coming to and from our school sites. The ‘school run’ at the beginning and end of the day adds considerably to the congestion in Newcastle and compromises the safety of pupils and other pedestrians in the surrounding streets.

As part of the planning agreement for the expansion on The Grove site, the school agreed to limit the number of cars parked or waiting due to the school. If the target number are exceeded, the school may suffer penalties, both financial and in terms of the number of pupils we are allowed on the site.

Walking, cycling and using public transport are not only better for the school and for the environment, they are also better means of travel for our pupils. Independent travel supports the school ethos of encouraging the boys to develop as reliable, reflective, resilient and resourceful individuals. Walking and cycling are healthier and even walking from the bus and Metro stops gives a better level of activity than arriving by car.

 Walking

Many pupils live within a 1 to 2 kilometre radius of the school. Walking is the healthiest and easiest way for them to travel to and from school. Walking gives pupils the best start to their day, ensuring that they arrive refreshed and relaxed, ready to learn. Research shows that children who walk to school are also more active throughout the day.

Cycling

By the start of the new term we will have cycle storage on the school site and will be encouraging pupils to cycle to school where appropriate. All pupils wishing to use the cycle storage must wear cycle helmets.

There are signposted on-road cycle routes and advisory cycle routes near to the school which link up with the network of on and off road routes through the City. Parents are expected to check their son’s proposed routes and satisfy themselves that their boys are competent cyclists.

Updated cycle maps of Newcastle are available from the school, tourist information offices, libraries and from the City Council direct. Contact the Road Safety Team on (0191) 211 5961.

Public Transport

The Senior School on The Grove is easy to reach by public transport with two Metro stations and a number of bus stops just a short walk away.

There are 38 different buses with stops on Gosforth High Street, a few minutes walk from the school, and an additional four on Station Road. Theses routes are from all over Newcastle and North Tyneside as well as towns north of the city including Morpeth, Blyth and Killingworth.

For those traveling from south of the river the Metro is a direct link from Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead while the bus and Metro interchanges make is easy to transfer from services from the Tyne Valley.

For information on routes and timetables go to www.nexus.org.uk

Concessionary travel

Concessionary travel is available for everyone under the age of 16 who lives in Tyne and Wear with under 5s going free. Children aged 5-16 who have an Under-16 Pass can enjoy reduced fares on local bus services and the Metro on Mondays to Friday until 7.00pm. In 2007/08, the single fare was 40p and Transfares were 50p.

All Under 16 Cards are issued by post. You have a choice of how to apply for your pass - either by post or in a Travel Shop. Forms are available in Travel Shops or you can download a form from the Nexus website.

School Passes allow you to pay for school journeys in advance so there is no need to find change for fares every day. The passes are available for journeys within Tyne and Wear and can be used on all local public transport services in the county, including bus, Metro, Shields Ferry and Northern Rail local rail services from Sunderland to Blaydon.

School Passes allow you one free journey to school before 9.30am and one free journey from school to home between 2.00pm-6.00pm. You can buy a School Pass for the whole academic year or just for each term.

There are a range of discount ticket schemes for students. If you're 16 and over and under 19, and in full-time further education, you can apply for a Teen Travel ID card, which you can then show to be entitled to a Teen Travelticket. Teen Traveltickets are valid on most buses, Metro, the Sunderland-Blaydon rail line and the Shields Ferry.

Teen Traveltickets are for a certain number of bus zones and for 1 week or 4 weeks.

For information and application forms for all concessionary travel schemes, scholars’ services or the network of bus and Metro routes go to

www.nexus.org.uk

or to one of the Nexus Travelshops next to the Metro stations at

Monument Metro

Haymarket Metro

Four Lane Ends Metro

Central Station

The Nexus website www.how2get2 is also useful.

If parents have any questions about travel to and from school, please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator, Mr. Angus Bullen