Driving lessons for William Brookes schoolpupils

A dozen pupils aged 15 and 16 from William Brookes School in Much Wenlock will find out what it’s like to drive a car at a special event in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 27 March 2012 (from 10am to 12 noon).

The pre-driver day at the West Mid Showground has been organised by Shropshire Council’s road safety education team and William Brookes School as part of a two-year Safe Road Skills and Attitudes course being run at the school.

The pupils will receive expert tuition from approved driving instructors using cars fitted with dual controls.

As well as practical driving, the pupils will be able to test their knowledge of the Highway Code in the comfort of the Shropshire Youth Service Bus which will be kitted out with online computers, covering the theory test and hazard perception simulation, and there will also be an opportunity for an eyesight test.

William Brookes School is one of only a handful of schools in the country to offer the two-year Safe Road Skills and Attitudes course, which is aimed at young people aged between 14 and 16.

Topics covered on the course include route planning and costing, sustainable travel, cycle training, highway code, first aid training, vehicle checks, emergency breakdown, attitudes for road users, peer pressure and young drivers.

The pupils who pass the exam at the end of the course will qualify to take a reduced driving theory test.

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for traffic management and road safety, said:

“I’m delighted that we’re working with William Brookes School on this valuable course, as part of our efforts to improve road safety. This pre-driver day will offer a fantastic opportunity for pupils to find out what it’s like to drive a car, and to learn how to drive safely, and I hope they have an interesting and enjoyable day.”

The school has been supported each week by Shropshire Council’s road safety team offering resources and specialist support and arranging a full day Bikeability training at Sundorne Sports Village.

Further information

The course has been brought about from a combination of a Government commitment to reducing causalities in the 17-25 age range who are over-represented in collision statistics, and Shropshire Council’s commitment to providing a safer community.

It is a bankable qualification supported through EDEXEL.