TruckEast visits Rushden Primary Academy for Road Safety Workshop

Pupils at Rushden Primary Academy enjoyed an exciting and educational visit from the team at TruckEast on Tuesday, 15 September, as Year 1 and Year 2 children learned all about the important work the company does and how to stay safe around large vehicles.

The day began with an informative assembly where TruckEast representatives introduced the children to the world of heavy goods vehicles and explained the vital role trucks play in transporting goods across the country. Pupils were fascinated to discover just how large a truck really is and learned some incredible comparisons to help them understand its size.

Children were amazed to hear that a truck is the same weight as eight elephants, 29 medium-sized cars, or an incredible 44,000 bags of flour. These fun facts helped bring the scale of these vehicles to life and highlighted why road safety around trucks is so important.

During the assembly, pupils learned about the dangers of blind spots and were shown where drivers may struggle to see pedestrians and cyclists. The TruckEast team explained where it is safest to stand when near a truck and demonstrated why keeping a safe distance is essential. Children also learned about the sounds trucks make, including warning alarms and signals, and discussed how they should respond safely if they hear them while out and about.

The interactive session encouraged pupils to think carefully about their own safety near roads and vehicles, with many children asking thoughtful questions and sharing their experiences.

Miss Hawes (Assistant Principal) said: “The visit was both enjoyable and educational. Our Year 1 and Year 2 pupils learned valuable road safety messages in a fun and memorable way. Experiences like this help children develop important life skills and awareness of the world around them.”

The highlight of the day for many pupils was receiving their very own high-visibility jackets, which they were delighted to take home. The bright jackets served as an important reminder of the day's safety messages and the importance of being seen when near roads and vehicles.

Jack Addis, Branch Manager at TruckEast, praised the school following the visit. He said: “It was really rewarding for me personally and my colleagues couldn't speak highly enough of the school, staff and students. Everyone was really engaging and made us feel welcome.”

All of the children would like to extend a huge thank you to the team at TruckEast for taking the time to visit the academy, share their knowledge and help educate pupils about staying safe around trucks. The visit was a memorable experience that combined learning, fun and practical safety advice, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.