MORE staff from primary schools in north Shropshire are set to receive free ‘Bikeability’ training to help deliver cycling lessons to pupils.

Another 10 schools will join the programme across the north of the county, joining the 17 schools who have already undertaken the training.

Shropshire Council, which is delivering the work, says staff will learn skills need to deliver ‘basic off-road cycle training as part of PE lessons.

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Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, admitted she and her fellow Cabinet members were delighted that the project could be extended.

She said: “The pilot will give our teaching staff the skills to deliver cycle training and help our children to grow up with the ability and confidence to cycle on the road.

“Thank you again to all the schools that expressed an interest in this training.

“It’s brilliant that there is so much interest in delivering cycle training in our schools.

“I’m delighted that staff from the first 17 schools have now had their training and we look forward to working with more schools in the near future.”

A spokesman for the council added: “This project is separate to the current Bikeability programme that the council offers, where professional instructors visit a school to deliver Level 2 training to Years 5 and 6.

“This programme will continue.”

North Shropshire schools taking part in the second wave of training includes Woore Primary and Nursery, Criftins CE Primary, Woodside Primary School in Oswestry, Whitchurch CofE Federation and St Martins 3-16 Learning Community.

The spokesman added: “It’s part of a new cycle training pilot funded by the Department for Transport and supported by the Department for Education.

“In July, all primary schools in the Shropshire Council area were invited to take part in the pilot. In total 115 schools responded.”

Participating schools commit to allowing at least two staff members to receive training; this may include teaching assistant staff.

Each staff member will need to undertake training, which will include online learning as well as practical instruction.

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Training is free of charge.

Providing cycle training in a traffic free setting for their pupils in nursery, reception and Year 1.

Programmes will be bespoke to each school depending on time and staff available, and staff will be supported to create these programmes.

Staff should expect to deliver at least one session per class per week.