Some evidence exists that environmental and policy interventions to promote active travel (e.g. walking and cycling) to school may be effective. However, few studies describe reasons for success or the influence of the wider social, political or physical context. This study aimed to understand how children and their families experience environments and make decisions around school travel in two Healthy New Town sites, an affluent area of Cambridgeshire and in a deprived area of Darlington.
Aims of the study
Research Questions
How do children (aged 8-12) and their families’ in two Healthy sites experience their school journeys?
How do these experiences and past and present local active school travel initiatives affect their travel mode practices?
Objectives
To investigate how children and their families’ (aged 8-12) in two Healthy New Town sites experience and negotiate environments on their journeys to and from school
To explore how experiences of the journey to school and decision making may have changed under social distancing measures
To understand local school-based initiatives for promoting active school travel
To explore how any local initiatives to promote active school travel, both pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been experienced and affected families travel modes
To understand how individual, socioeconomic, geographic contexts affect families’ experiences and decisions surrounding school travel
Design
We recruited up to 10 children and one adult member of their household/family from each site (Darlington and Northstowe) (n= 20 families) to a take part in the study. This consisted of children from across the school years 4-8 (ages 8-12). We aimed to recruit and interview 1-2 members of staff from each school (n=6-12).
Data collection included a number of qualitative methods:
Children will be asked to take photographs of their journeys to school and discuss them to give more insight into the school journey.
Guided tour of the child’s walk to school (optional) & questions whilst travelling to school
Interview with parents about their experience of their child’s journey to school, and if the pandemic has affected how they make decisions about school travel.
Observations and informal conversations with adults at the school gate
Interviews with teachers and staff on school travel policies
Investigators
Chief/Principal investigator
Dr Jenna Panter – University of Cambridge
Research team
Dr Emma Lawlor – University of Cambridge
Dr Stephanie Morris – University of Durham
Professor Carolyn Summerbell – University of Durham
Professor Tessa Pollard – University of Durham
Status
Completed.
Unit role
Unit led study for the Cambridge site (Northstowe) with responsibility for data.
Sponsors
The study was sponsored by Durham University.
Funding
This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Public Health Research (SPHR). The study is part of a wider grant to explore individual and environmental approaches to promote alternatives to the car.
Data sharing
Please see our Data Sharing pages.
