Chapter 10 Strengths and Weaknesses
There were significantly more strengths than weaknesses identified with this resource.
10.1 Strengths
One of the key strengths identified by teachers was the comprehensive nature of the resource. Everything that was required was there in one place. It was seen as self explanatory and straightforward. It offered flexibility in that teachers could dip in and out of the resource as they wished and could select lessons that had synergy with other parts of their curriculum.
Outcomes of lessons were clearly set out making it easy for teachers to use.
The Road Safety Officers were equally generous in their praise of this resource and they too saw it as excellent once teachers took the time to read it properly. It was described as well structured, well presented and well researched, fitting in to the curriculum.
The progressive nature of the resource was also seen as a positive, providing teachers with something new for each level and providing a resource that was designed to engage the older children as well as the young ones. It provided reinforcement at every level, building on what had been covered in earlier levels.
At the conclusion of the survey teachers were offered the opportunity to provide any comments on perceived strengths and weaknesses. Only 18% of those responding gave any reply. These are listed in Appendices 1 and 2 to highlight the areas that teachers chose to comment on. The issues raised by these comments have all been covered elsewhere in this report in more detail and are listed in the appendix to this report.
10.2 Weaknesses
There were few weaknesses and these related more to administration than to content.
Photocopying was an issue raised across many parts of the country but those schools that have prepared master copies of worksheets expect that this work will be much less in subsequent years.
A few comments were made about the illustrations in the Streetsense resource and some felt that they looked a bit young for the older year groups.
A number of teachers saw no weaknesses whatsoever and simply thought it an excellent resource.
"I don't think there is a weakness. It's some of the best material I have seen"
Teacher
The lack of awareness of the resource was probably the biggest issue to be raised and Road Safety Officers were very aware of this problem. The lack of feedback mechanism makes it difficult for Road Safety Officers to know where they might direct their efforts in this regard. Much more clearly needs to be done to ensure that schools know about this resource and are encouraged to read through it. Lack of time was a barrier to Road Safety Officers getting access into schools and to road safety being given any priority.
A further weakness was the lack of copies of Streetsense that are available. One Road Safety Officer also mentioned that by having a national resource they lost the ability to provide local pictures of their own area, which personalised it much more for the children.
The lack of extra copies of the additional resources was also raised as these were much more difficult to share.
A full list of weaknesses reported in the survey are provided in an appendix to this report.
10.3 Improvements
A number of suggestions were made which might improve Streetsense.
10.3.1 Technology
A number of interviewees commented that interactive facilities are likely to be the way of the future and would be welcomed. As children gain increasing access to computers at school this will become more feasible but at present there remain limitations.
Web based materials are likely to be the way forward. One suggestion is to have a space where children and teachers can share their work and ideas.
10.3.2 Ensuring currency
It is essential that Streetsense itself remains up to date and this will include ensuring that any web links - links to external resources and also kept current. Where these are likely to change over a significant period of time it may be better if they are restricted to the web version where updates can be more easily achieved.
This should also include any legislative changes or changes in the Highway Code that require changes to Streetsense.
Although the website was very poorly used, it may be that if interactive facilities were to be found there it would be used more frequently.
Some also felt that it needed to be updated occasionally with complementary materials if only to keep it fresh and to keep it to the fore of people's attention.
10.3.3 Layout
There were some comments about possible improvements to illustrations. Line drawings for infants might be made clearer and the graphics generally could be enhanced, being seen by a few as dull, old fashioned or childlike, especially for the older children.
10.3.4 Promotion
One of the key improvements was to ensure that schools made use of the resource and suggestions include
- Road Safety Officers coming into schools to speak to teachers about the resource
- To undertake demonstration lessons
- Road Safety Officers to use the resource themselves when they come into schools
- Provide a newsletter once a term sharing good practice. This had the potential to link with the very successful JRSO scheme.
The Road Safety Officers also need help to promote the resource and this might include:
- Providing feedback to Road Safety Officers on use in their area
- Help with promotion from Road Safety Scotland
10.3.5 Special Needs
There was also a comment on the requirement to provide specific materials for children with special needs.
10.3.6 Size of the resource
There were a number of comments throughout interviews about the size of the resource and the amount of activities. Whilst this could be seen as a strength there was one suggestion that a condensed version might be made available which would contain the core material that should be used. Identification of what is core may of course present difficulties.
10.3.7 Suggestions for improvement from survey responses
In the survey of teachers, there was also an opportunity to provide any suggestions for improvements. Only 13% provided any comment. Again these issues have been covered earlier in this report but they are listed in the appendix to highlight the areas that teachers chose to comment on.
10.4 Good practice
With the aim of celebrating successes and of giving the opportunity to share good practice schools were invited in the questionnaire to give any examples of good practice in relation to Streetsense. Their comments are provided in full in an appendix to this report.
16 schools provided some examples. Commonly these related to how Streetsense had been integrated into the health curriculum, to Road Safety weeks or how it is working to support the JRSO scheme. Use of assemblies to reinforce and share learning was also mentioned with one school holding a quiz attended by the whole school at the end of their focussed week of road safety.
10.5 Some final comments
Whether they had a copy, had made use of the resource or not, respondents were invited to supply any comments at the end of the questionnaire. It is interesting to examine those comments separately from non-users and from those who do not have a copy.
Don't have a copy or don't know if they have a copy
- Look forward to seeing it / interested in having it
- Streetsense is familiar only by name and a brief introduction by our Road Safety Officer
- Our nursery has some leaflets relating to the children's traffic club, but this hasn't been used in the current session
- No longer get 'Ways to Safety' workbooks issued by LA - These are missed by teachers.
Have a copy but don't use it
- Hope to use it in future (5)
- Looks/ sounds very good (2)
- Easy to use / user friendly (2)
- Comprehensive resource
- Have used it but not a lot
- This resource lies on a shelf gathering dust
- We are a SEBD (Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) primary school
- Have used it in previous school
- Hope it will add impact to our health / PSE programme
- Arrived in schools via primary Improvement Office with no support offered - training would be helpful
- Staff reminded of it now as a result of this questionnaire
Clearly there are some schools who are less aware of the resource than they might be and others who are yet to get round to using it. It might be expected that usage levels will continue to rise.