'WALKING Bus' scheme at a Silsden school is thriving.

The project at Aire View Infant School was founded 17 years ago, when Cath Smith and her then colleague – fellow teaching assistant Ruth Tilley – were invited to a meeting.

The aim was to discuss ways to develop a road safety initiative benefitting pupils and parents.

Letters were duly distributed to parents gauging their interest in the project, which involved youngsters – accompanied by their parents – waiting at designated bus stops for Cath and her colleague to pick them up on foot.

For 15 years Mrs Tilley, who died earlier this year, accompanied the children on the route from Waterside while Cath continues with the Skipton Road route.

Currently the scheme is aimed at the five to seven-year-olds but it is anticipated, following the merger with Hothfield Junior School in Silsden in September, the scheme will continue and accommodate children up to the age of 11.

Cath says as well as the benefits of teaching road safety, the scheme is also helping to increase the youngsters’ confidence. Those who were quiet are now content to chatter along the way.

“Road safety is the first priority. You’re in touch with different people. It’s quite visible in the community and people respond to you,” she added.

The Walking Bus enables the children to walk to school safely and also tackles issues such as pollution.

According to Cath, the scheme also benefits parents who may have to leave home for work early. “We have supported a wide range of families,” says Cath.

And the initiative is supporting charitable causes – the children previously held a ‘run to school’ event.

After seeing first-hand the benefits the Walking Bus scheme brings, Cath is now keen to pass those on by encouraging other schools to follow suit.

“Get it set up, you will enjoy it,” she says.

Vicky Bottomley, headteacher at Aire View Infant School, says: “Cath Smith has worked at Aire View Infant School for over 23 years and for 17 of these she has worked tirelessly to improve road safety for our children.

“It was because of this Cath was very interested when we were discussing introducing a Walking Bus. Both her and Ruth Tilley, another teaching assistant employed by school, undertook some training with the Road Safety Unit along with other volunteer parents. The walking buses in Silsden have gone from strength to strength!

“There are so many benefits for running a scheme like this. It helps reduce parking around the school, children have more exercise and are wide awake when they reach school having enjoyed the social experience, it helps reduce pollution and is better for the environment."