So how can the sort of standards set by Orchard Vale Community School be achieved? Having staff who are fully aware of the kind of example they should be setting is vital, as is the importance placed on environmental issues in the school's curriculum. When these things are addressed, the action needed to tackle parking excesses becomes much easier to appreciate and to carry out.
Preparing a "School Travel Plan" is a good way to go through the process of thinking up effective ways of reducing car travel at and around the school. All schools will have to produce these soon anyway, and grants are available for this purpose. This topic is well covered by Sustrans in their "Safe Routes to School" initiative, and by Teachernet.
Many local councils are looking to implement schemes intended to get their employees out of cars. Car-sharing and discounted travel on public transport are two of these. As school staff are largely employed by councils (local education authorities), they are ideal candidates for such schemes.
How about a simple test of whether a school near you takes your childrens' future seriously? Every year there is a "National Walk to School Week", in which all schools are encouraged to participate. Try counting the number of cars parked within the school grounds during this Week and before and after it.
