CHILDREN at a Kidlington school are campaigning to urge passing drivers to slow down.

The pupils at Bletchingdon Primary School planned a week of campaigning, designing signs and standing outside the school in Weston Road in both the morning and evening rush-hour periods.

Ellen Morton, Year 6 pupil and head of the school council, said: “We are doing our campaign about road safety because we are not happy about the speed of the cars going down the road and also because of the parking outside school. We would like it if everyone parked away from the school.”

Headteacher Louise Hatton said: “I am very proud that they are standing here, visually stating how strongly they feel about a subject that does not just directly affect themselves but the community as a whole.”

On Wednesday the group was out in force again with placards.

The temporary roadside posters are part of an anti-speeding campaign launched by the local Neighbourhood Action Group 5 (NAG5) . The group sent out questionnaires to local residents, and found speeding was the main concern.

Mandy Rigault, Senior Road Safety Officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Road Safety Team, said: “This is an example of great partnership and collaborative working – and fantastic designs from the young people.”

Meanwhile youngsters from the STARS team at Berinsfield Primary School – Safe Travel And Road Safety – joined their local police community support officers to spot cars parked dangerously on zig-zag lines.

It is part of a wider campaign aimed at dissuading parents from driving to school and encouraging them to think before parking close to the narrow school entrance.

Pupils at the school in Wimblestraw Road, Berinsfield, have also created banners and written letters to parents about their concerns.

Pupil Emma Blewitt, seven, said: “I was very angry that people parked on the yellow zig-zag lines outside the school.

“It was exciting to hold the banner and I am looking forward to sticking parking tickets on the cars.”