Independent travel is something many of us take for granted. But at what age are we comfortable allowing our children out alone? Is age the deciding factor or are there wider concerns? What do young people think of the outside world?
These questions were explored during a 12-week series of workshops exploring the nature of independent travel with pupils at Conisborough's Athelstane Special School. As the participants have a range of learning difference and behavioural issues, care was taken to design a variety of activities into each session. Drama worker Simon Robinson worked closely with the school to design the workshops.
To start with games and exercises were used to create a group dynamic and sense of trust between the participants. Simon was then able to move toward discussion of issues surrounding independent travel, often using a story as a stimulus for the debate. Role-play was also employed as a way of practising behaviours and safely exploring situations.
Personal safety from strangers was explored in some detail with the participants role-playing a fictional character confronted with a stranger.
One girl came up with the excellent suggestion that perhaps all adults should avoid asking lone children for directions, the time or such like. This would make children feel safer and avoid the embarrassment of appearing rude when ignoring people (deemed the best strategy for dealing with strangers).
Staff commented on several occasions about the quality of discussion and the insight gained into the young peoples' lives outside school. One teacher said: "It's interesting to discover the levels of responsibility afforded by some of my pupils."
The project culminated with a number of the participants travelling to The Point for a tour of the building, discussion of the project and biscuits! Two pupils were able to announce that in the previous week they had ventured out alone for the first time.