Royal Russell School Latest News

Young Drivers Awarded - December 2011

Croydon Road Safety are very pleased to be working with Royal Russell and JEDS Driving School in improving driving standards for young adults. This joint venture has allowed us to provide a solid foundation for students at the school who want to improve their awareness in both theory and driving techniques. Safe driving is the key and it is with this in mind that the students have gained valuable knowledge, equipping them for later life.

This is a great opportunity for young people who are eager to develop their skills prior to taking their driving test.

The overall programme includes a number of road safety disciplines that are not usually undertaken elsewhere. So this is a brilliant opportunity for students attending Royal Russell School to improve their overall driver awareness skills. We are hopeful that other Croydon students will take up this opportunity and get involved in what has proved an excellent course.

The process is quite comprehensive and allows each student to build up their awareness and knowledge in a professional set up. The course is enhanced by established and fully qualified driving instructors whose aims are to ensure a greater understanding of driving techniques and safety.

The ten week theory course is provided by the JEDS Driving Instructor Team. They add a substantial amount of information to the package to ensure that a greater understanding of the theory test is achieved. A wealth of information is passed to the student to increase safety awareness, hazard perception as well as being comfortable with theory test requirements.

The theory course works well with other disciplines and is complimented with the following:-

Students are given the opportunity to drive off road, using the school grounds that are located around the perimeter of the school. The aim is to introduce the student to good practices and driving safely. The Driving Instructors link this with the Drink/Drug discussion that is demonstrated close to the off road tracks.
Theatre in Education is shown to students in school. This reiterates the effects of driver distraction with clear messages to all those who travel by car. This is followed by the Theatre Company carrying out a work shop.
The Young Driver Book (given to each student) – has been designed by the Road Safety Team at Croydon to enhance awareness from novice to full licence holder.

What we have at Royal Russell School is quite unique. It epitomises all that is good about learning to drive in a professional and competent manner. Society as a whole benefit by having safer drivers on the road, whilst the student themselves have a far greater awareness and knowledge, before they reach the driving test stage.

Mr T Benham
Senior Road Safety Officer
Croydon Council

Royal Russell School students who have taken the Young Drivers course and then pass their practical test with JEDS Driving School and wish to further boost their driving skills (and reduce their car insurance quotes) Croydon Council will provide each student with a bursary to help with the costs of Pass Plus. For students wishing to join the next course in January should contact Mrs S Culbert, Head of Sixth Form.

Their goal is simple: to provide the best standard of driving tuition and improvement of driving skills.