By Isle of Wight Observer
Crafty youngsters have won prizes after designing eye-catching reflective school bags as part of an IW Council initiative promoting road safety in primary schools.
The Brighten Your Bag competition encourages pupils to decorate their school bags using high-visibility materials and bright colours, helping them to be seen by other road users during the darker winter months.
Primary schools taking part in the council’s Junior Travel Ambassador (JTA) scheme were invited to enter, with two children receiving prizes for their designs. This year, the competition included two categories. Key Stage One pupils created bright designs using a bag template, while Key Stage Two pupils decorated physical bags using reflective and fluorescent materials.
Southern Vectis sponsored the competition, providing a 24-hour rover bus ticket for the Key Stage One winner and a family ticket for its Christmas lights tour for the Key Stage Two winner. Bailey Street Furniture Group also supported the initiative by awarding a Scooterpod scooter rack to the Best Overall School.
The Key Stage One winner was Louie Moorman from Gatten and Lake Primary School, while the Key Stage Two prize went to Piper Callas-Bryan from Barton Primary School. Gatten and Lake Primary School was also named Best Overall School.
The competition highlights the importance of visibility for vulnerable road users, including children, pedestrians and cyclists, particularly during the winter months when daylight is limited.