The Junior Travel Ambassador (JTA) scheme is a national initiative that encourages peer-to-peer engagement and is used to promote safer, active and independent travel within the school community. It's a fun and engaging way to spread important messages and build skills for life. The JTA scheme aims to take a more direct approach to promoting independent travel, particularly for the children in Years 4 to 6, who may now be travelling to and from school independently.

How do I become a JTA?

The scheme is offered to the children in our Year Five class. Ms Revell meets with the classes at the beginning of the year to explain what the role involves and to share the job description outlining what is expected from all of our JTA's. Children are then asked to complete application forms for the role noting their interests, strengths and why they feel that they would be a suitable candidate. Previous members of the JTA team then meet together with Mrs Bull and the members of the Senior Management Team to make their selection.

What's involved in being a JTA?

Our selected Junior Travel Ambassadors are actively involved in planning the different ways in which safer, active and independent travel can be encouraged and supported across the school. Their work includes leading on and running projects and assemblies, organising workshops and competitions to share ideas on travel planning and learning how to use Transport for London's Journey Planner. There are a number of themes that the children explore each half term such as learning about the green cross code, 'belt up' - travelling in cars, cycling safety and more. We work in partnership with Merton's Road Safety Officer, Charmaine Jacques. Once the candidates have been nominated and selected she is then invited to attend our awards assembly where the successful children are presented with their JTA badges and information packs. Charmaine then meets with the newly appointed team to discuss projects that they can begin working on.

What have the JTA's achieved?

Our JTAs have worked hard to implement a number of campaigns and strategies to support safer and more sustainable travel at Lonesome, such as educating the school on the importance of 'being safe and being seen' during the darker winter months, with a competition to 'bling up' your scooter, balance bike training and working with the local Police Support Officer too.

This year, our children took part in a Car Free Day mascot design competition run by Merton Council. The children submitted their designs and the top entries were sent away to Merton to be judged. We are so excited that two of our children from Lonesome were judged to be in the top three from Merton for their fantastic designs! The winning designs are available to view on the Merton Council website.