Children who join a school’s new walking bus were given bespoke hi-vis vests to stay safe and be seen.

Slough Borough Council’s sustainable transport team, Better By, provided the florescent yellow vests to St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in a bid to encourage more children, and more schools, to get on board.

The vests have the school’s emblem on the front and their name and the Better By logo on the back for children who are dropped off by parents at a designated location before being escorted the five-minute journey to the school.

Rachel Cross, headteacher of the Yew Tree Road school, said action was being taken to reduce congestion around the school gate at the beginning of the school day making journeys active, sustainable and safer.

The children were also encouraged to view walking to school as a positive choice.

Mrs Cross said: “We have two teachers who meet children at Hatfield car park and make the five-minute walk to school with the children.

“It is not rushed and the children are encouraged to talk to one another which helps with their language and communication skills.”

Shazia Aamir, the healthy schools team leader at the school, said the children will now be very visible on their route to school where they get to talk about their day ahead and what they did at home the night before – all before they get to the school’s gates.

She said: “They get to class ready to learn and parents don’t have to worry about trying to find a parking space, as there aren’t any around the school.

“It also means that they can build some activity into their morning which means they arrive at school alert and ready for a day’s learning.”

Cllr Rob Anderson, cabinet member of transport and environmental services said: “It is great to see schools giving alternatives to parents for their children to get to the gates safely.”