The central aim of this research was to review the road safety input to all courses in the 7 Scottish teacher-training colleges (TTC). Stage One of the research involved consultation with Road Safety Units, which had TTCs in their area, and explored the road safety input into the TTC and links with the TTC. Stage Two involved consultation with the Health Education co-ordinators (or equivalent) in each TTC. These interviews established the extent and nature of Road Safety Education (RSE) within the teacher training courses and the support and resources which would be needed to ensure that there was a road safety input to the TTCs, in line with the national strategy for RSE. Two focus groups were also held with primary teacher trainees: one group with trainee teachers who had had some road safety input into their course, the other group had not.
Start date: 19/8/02
End date: 16/12/02
Findings
- There is no consistent approach to the delivery or content of road safety input into TTCs.
- There are good working relationships between some RSUs and their TTC, whilst other RSUs have found it difficult to establish links.
- Working relationships tend to rely on individual contact between a RSO and the TTC, rather than a formalised arrangement.
- Five TTCs were teaching or planned to teach RSE, although this was only to primary trainee teachers.
- It was usually the RSO who covered RSE in the TTCs, sometimes with the support of the lecturer.
- There was no clear link made between RSE and the road safety attainment targets in the Health Education 5-14 National Guidelines. However, it was recognised that Health Education was the main curricular context for RSE.
- The main barrier to teaching RSE was a lack of time.
- A range of methods for covering RSE was suggested, such as lectures with questions and answers, interactive sessions and thematic workshops.
- Suggested resources for teaching RSE included an interactive CD-ROM as a teaching pack, videos and a teaching pack (which was accessible to all lecturers).
The report also puts forward recommendations to provide a more consistent approach to the content and delivery of RSE in TTCs. The main recommendations are:
- A key objective should be familiarising all trainee teachers with the national strategy for RSE.
- Curricular links to the Health Education 5-14 National Guidelines should be highlighted.
- All trainee teachers should receive a minimum of 2 hours of RSE, including how to find out about sources of information and advice on RSE and the availability of RSE resources.
- The SRSC should develop a national framework for the delivery of RSE in TTCs, working in partnership with RSUs and TTCs, in line with the national strategy for RSE.
- The principal responsibility for delivering RSE should rest with the TTC staff, with the support and advice of the SRSC and local RSUs.
Three Options are put forward for supporting TTCs in delivering RSE:
- Option One – the local RSU could have responsibility for supporting RSE training in their TTC.
- Option Two – an individual (like BITER's former Education Adviser) could be selected to support RSE to all TTCs.
- Option Three – a team of RSOs from throughout Scotland could provide support to all TTCs.
The SRSC's Education Officer should convene a meeting of TTC contacts to discuss this report and the options for the future support and delivery of training in RSE.