Bar Hill Primary School has made headlines as only the second school in the country to participate in a unique initiative aimed at enhancing road safety and environmental awareness. This exciting opportunity was brought to the school by Cambridgeshire’s Road Safety Officer, Maree Richards, and is part of the school’s ongoing commitment to its Junior Travel Ambassadors programme and STARS travel plan.
Recently, pupils from Reception to Year 6 engaged in a dynamic STEM education day, collaborating with Milestone Infrastructure to explore highways maintenance through interactive lessons. The event featured four themed sessions focusing on road safety, winter service, road repair, and design and delivery—all designed to inspire young minds about the importance of infrastructure and safety.
Pupils participated in hands-on activities such as building jumbo marshmallow towers to understand engineering principles and experimenting with different road surfaces to learn about friction. A standout moment was the chance for pupils to see a road gritter and a “Dragon Patcher,” a specialised pothole repair machine, up close.
The day was supported by 33 volunteers from Cambridgeshire Highways, who delivered a total of 36 lessons across nine classes. This collaborative effort not only enriched the pupils’ learning experience but also reinforced the school’s focus on community engagement and practical learning.
Nikita Frampton, PSHE Lead and Junior Travel Ambassador leader at Bar Hill Primary School, expressed her excitement about the initiative: “We were keen to take part in the day to enhance our STEM elements of the curriculum. The whole experience was a great success with children and staff alike gaining lots of knowledge from hands-on experience and informative presentations. It was wonderful to feel the buzz and witness engagement around school throughout the day.”
Headteacher, Charlotte Linden, added: “STEM education is crucial for preparing our pupils for the future. By engaging in hands-on learning, they develop essential skills like critical thinking and teamwork. We are also keen to strengthen our links with Milestone Infrastructure, who will be driving our ‘School Streets’ project – a proactive solution to tackle road danger and air pollution. A big thank you to them for making this initiative possible.”
Bar Hill Primary School is located in the village of Bar Hill, Cambridge, and serves around 250 pupils aged 4 to 11. The school prides itself on creating an inclusive learning environment where every child’s voice is welcomed and valued. As part of Meridian Trust, which operates several schools in the Cambridge area, Bar Hill Primary is committed to high-quality educational provision.
