Staying Safe Outdoors

Overview

Age group: KS1 (6-7 years old, Year 2)
Class size: 24 pupils
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
Topic: Safety on or near roads

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National Curriculum (England) Links

• PSHE Association Programme of Study:
  • Health and Wellbeing – Pupils should learn about risks and hazards, including those road-related, and how to keep themselves and others safe (Key Stage 1).
• National Curriculum Science Link:
  • Identifying safe and unsafe situations and behaviours.
• DfE 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' guidelines support the importance of early road safety education.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson pupils will be able to:

1. Explain why it is important to be safe when crossing or near roads.
2. Demonstrate how to cross a road safely using the Green Cross Code (Stop, Look, Listen, Think).
3. Recognise common road safety signs and signals.
4. Understand the importance of being visible and attentive near roads (e.g., wearing bright clothing).

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Prior Learning Considerations

• Pupils may have basic awareness of roads from everyday life, but understanding safe behaviours will vary.
• Some may have had informal instruction from parents but lack consistency or detailed understanding.
• Familiarity with traffic lights and crossing points may be partial.

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Strategies for Pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities

• Use visual aids clearly and simply (pictograms, symbols).
• Implement peer support – pair pupils for role play to support understanding.
• Provide physical demonstrations and hands-on activities for kinaesthetic learners.
• Use clear, simple language and repeat instructions as needed.
• Provide additional adult support for pupils with significant needs during role play activities.

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Resources

• Large printed images or flashcards of road signs (e.g., pedestrian crossing, traffic light, stop sign).
• Toy traffic lights or portable pedestrian crossing mats.
• Role-play props: high-visibility jackets or wristbands, toy cars, road marking tape/floor stickers.
• Whiteboard and marker or interactive whiteboard.
• Video clip (2-3 mins) showing children crossing roads safely (real-life or animated).
• Worksheets with simple road safety quiz or sorting game.

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Role of Other Adults

• Teaching assistants to support role-play activities, especially for pupils with additional needs.
• Support with managing the flow and safety of role-play scenarios in classroom space or outside playground area (if available).
• Assist with small group discussions and monitor participation.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details	AfL Opportunities
0-5 mins	Introduction & discussion	Introduce importance of road safety with question: "Why do we need to be careful near roads?" Use picture prompts.	Question and answer (Q&A) to check prior knowledge.
5-15 mins	Video and story	Watch short video demonstrating safe crossing habits. Follow with class discussion on what was learnt.	Ask pupils to recall steps shown in video; invite responses for understanding.
15-25 mins	Road safety signs match-up	Using flashcards, pupils work in pairs to match signs with their meanings and discuss why they matter.	Observation of pairs’ ability to match signs and explain meaning.
25-40 mins	Role play - Green Cross Code	In small groups (3 or 4), pupils practise crossing an imaginary road using the Green Cross Code steps, roleplaying pedestrians and drivers using props.	Teacher observes and notes pupils’ application of crossing rules; verbal quizzes.
40-45 mins	Recap and short quiz worksheet	Class discussion to recap key points. Pupils complete a short worksheet with true/false or multiple choice questions on road safety.	Immediate individual understanding assessed via worksheet and Q&A.

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Cross Curricular Links

• Science: Identifying hazards and understanding safe/unsafe behaviours.
• English: Developing speaking and listening skills through discussions and role play.
• Physical Education: Movement and spatial awareness during role-play crossing activities.
• Maths: Recognising patterns and sequences in Green Cross Code steps.

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Opportunities for Assessment for Learning (AfL)

• Use questioning techniques throughout to gauge pupil understanding and misconceptions.
• Observe role-play for practical application of safety rules.
• Use paired work to encourage peer teaching and verbal articulation of concepts.
• Collect and review worksheet answers for individual assessment.
• Reflect at the end with pupils stating one thing they will do to be safe on or near roads.

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Link to University Taught Curriculum Content

• This lesson mirrors key aspects of child development and pedagogy around risk awareness in early childhood education courses, focusing on experiential learning and development of personal responsibility.
• The use of multi-sensory strategies (visual, verbal, kinesthetic) aligns with best practice teachings in educational psychology for inclusive learning.

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Summary

This lesson not only fulfils key PSHE learning objectives by embedding the national curriculum’s focus on personal safety, but also actively engages young learners through varied, hands-on activities designed to build confidence and practical skills in road safety. The use of video, paired work, and role play makes learning memorable and transferable to real-world settings, offering all pupils, regardless of ability, the chance to understand and internalise key safety behaviours.