Learning road safety through the power of magic!

Life saving road safety skills for children were conjured up in Orkney schools recently (1 April) through the captivating power of magic! 
  
Fully funded by Transport Scotland and facilitated by the Council’s Safety and Resilience team, P1 to P4 pupils at Glaitness Primary and Stromness Primary enjoyed an appearance by the Allan’s Magic - who’ve delivered road safety shows across Scotland, targeted specifically at children, for years. 
 
Allan’s Magic Road Safety Show was initially developed with Aberdeenshire Council and Police Scotland and has been seen by over a million pupils throughout the UK since 2010. 
 
Transport Scotland are funding a number of shows throughout Scotland, as part of a pilot project to evaluate its impact. 
  
Some adults in Orkney may remember Allan visiting in 2010 to present The Allan’s Magic Road Safety Show -  and he’s produced road safety resources for Junior Road Safety Officers in primary schools to use with their fellow pupils and the wider community. 
 
Key messages in the show include how to cross the road safely, wearing bright clothing and understanding what to do at pedestrian crossings, and the dangers of using earphones and mobile phones or other tech while using our roads. 
  
Head Teacher of Glaitness School, Ingrid Rendall, said : “The children really enjoyed learning from Allan all about road safety in this fun, magical and memorable way.” 
  
After the show at Glaitness School, we put Mrs Ward’s P1/2 class to the test and asked them what they would say to their families and friends about road safety: 
 
•    Alfred said: Don't look at your phone when you're walking on the road 
•    Lyla said: Don't cross the road when the light is flashing green 
 
Magic responses! 
 
Pupils who enjoyed the magic show took home a leaflet families can look at together, with road safety information, an evaluation survey, and magic tips too! 
 
Or you can check these Transport Scotland resources https://roadsafety.scot/children-and-educators/early/roadstars/help-us-be-seen/