Northamptonshire puts magic on the road

With a bit of hocus-pocus from Northamptonshire’s Road Safety Team a magic show appeared in schools across the county.

Each spellbinding session of fifty minutes was spent using the magic words: STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN and ALWAYS HOLD HANDS. These two messages are considered most important for this age group and throughout the show the children had to repeat the words and complete the actions for the magic to be activated.

"This magic show is a wonderful idea," said Councillor Jim Wade, cabinet member responsible for road safety. "It’s a great way of engaging young children and having fun while making sure they understand the rules of the road."

The show was piloted 1–5 March in 12 primary schools around the county and feedback has been very positive. "The performers aimed the road safety messages at the right level for the children. It was very clear and they handled the children well – clear instructions also helped," said a reception teacher from Kingswood Primary School.

A Year 1 class teacher at Hardwick Infant School was equally impressed. "I liked the way the correct language was used - for example pavement, pelican crossing etc. The road safety messages were put across in a fun way but the children really understood them," she said.

For further information about the show contact: Michelle Watkins, Mwatkins@northamptonshire.gov.uk