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Pupils complete training scheme

Pupils from Portreath Primary School have become the first to successfully complete Cornwall County Council's Second Steps child pedestrian training scheme - with impressive results.

The scheme is designed to teach key pedestrian skills to 5-7 year old children over the academic year. The training programme is progressive, with each phase building on the foundation laid by earlier phases.

Evaluation was carried out in the school before training to assess pupils' road safety knowledge. Children were shown a flashcard of a real roadside situation and asked to point out where the safe place to cross would be. 81% of those evaluated would have crossed where it was unsafe - but once the children had completed Second Steps the results changed dramatically, with 95% of children choosing the safest route.

"Second Steps has proved a great success due to the commitment of volunteer instructors and the support of the school and its staff," said Leigh-Anne Parfitt, child pedestrian safety co-ordinator.

For further information contact Wendy Rizza, road safety publicity officer, on 01872 327342, or wrizza@cornwall.gov.uk.