Hazlehead Academy was today recognised as Aberdeen's first Cycle Friendly Secondary School by Cycling Scotland.
The academy is an eco-school and, due to their geographic location and catchment area, have always had a strong cycling ethos in the school.
Three S5 pupils, Ailsa Simpson, Niril George and David Smith, met with Paul Wright, Cycling Scotland, some months ago to find out what was needed to become Aberdeen’s first cycle friendly secondary school.
As well as having the highest percentage of pupils cycling to school in the city, Hazlehead Academy has an annual bike week in June with huge numbers of staff and pupils joining in. The most recent bike week was combined with a ‘Give Me Cycle Space’ event where P7 pupils from our local primaries planned and cycled safe routes to their local secondary school with cycle ambassadors.
In the academy's choice of wider achievement courses for senior pupils, ‘Cycle Maintenance’ has also been introduced which is proving a popular option.
Commenting on these developments, acting depute head teacher Dr Alison Drysdale said: "We hope to continue to show the pupils of Hazlehead Academy as the best in the city in terms of cycling to school."
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Photo courtesy of Norman Adams, Aberdeen City Council