Canford Heath Junior School and Longfleet Primary School are amongst 21 schools in the BCP Council region which will benefit from a total of just over £214,000 worth of grants (up to £20,000 each) from the Council’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme. The grants are being awarded to the schools to help them pay for the installation of new or improved ‘end-of-trip’ facilities, which encourage healthy and eco-friendly journeys to school.

Facilities included are lockable bike and scooter stores, showers, lockers, bike repair stands, clothes drying facilities and electric bike charging points.

Schools were given the opportunity to apply for the grants of between £500 and £20,000 to help cover the cost of installation or upgrade work. They will be match-funding at least 20 per cent of the total cost of the project themselves through their own fundraising activities.

Avonwood Primary School was awarded £6,784 to extend its existing secure bike and scooter stores. The school’s headteacher, Chris Jackson said: “We are absolutely delighted with this award and will be getting on with the work over the summer holidays. We are keen to encourage more of our students and staff to cycle or scoot to school both for their health and for the environment. Providing these new lock-up facilities will certainly help to reassure them that their bikes are safely stored during the school day.”

Cllr Nicola Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for schools said: “This is a great opportunity for our schools to install facilities that encourage students and staff to start using healthy, green travel options. We have been particularly keen to support this since schools have returned after lockdown and want to encourage families to take this opportunity to leave their cars at home and use a healthy option for the school run. By providing facilities at the journey’s end, we can help decrease congestion and pollution, fight childhood obesity and support active travel.”

The other schools receiving grants are: Ad Astra Infant School, Poole High School, Avonwood Primary School, Queens Park Infant Academy, Avonbourne Boys and Girls Academies, St Edward’s School, Canford Heath Infant School, St Katharine’s Church of England (VA) Primary School, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Glenmoor Academy, St Peters School, Hamworthy Park Junior School, St. James’ C of E Primary Academy, Haymoor Junior School, The Bourne Academy, Highcliffe School, The Grange School, Kingsleigh Primary School and Twynham School.