Fund for Schools - Jersey winner announced

Grouville School wins Better Journeys Project funds to bring their active travel plans to life.

Better Journeys Project launched the “Fund for Schools” in November 2025 in both Jersey and Guernsey. The charity has launched the initiative to help schools put in infrastructure or projects that support and encourages alternative travel options to free them from debilitating traffic.

5 schools applied for the funds in Jersey with the judges choosing Grouville School following careful consideration.

Their detailed and costed proposal centred around the launch of a “Bike Bus” in 2026. A bike bus or cycling crocodile is an organised, supervised group of people, usually children and parents, who ride bicycles together along a set route on a scheduled, frequent basis, often to school or work. Similar to a bus, it has designated stops where riders can join the "train," providing a safe, active, and community-focused commute that reduces traffic and provides independence to children.

Grouville’s plan was to start a route from the St. Clement catchment area, collecting children at designated stops along the way. Once successfully trialled, they plan to explore other routes from areas such as Gorey Village, Longueville, St. Martin’s, and beyond.

Kate Huntington, Director of the Better Journeys Project who led the judging panel in Jersey said; “We were delighted by the quality and number of entries we received, but we can only choose one winner. After reviewing the entries, we chose Grouville’s as we felt that it will have the highest likelihood of success and the most potential for creating meaningful change on school runs.”

Nichola Turner, Headteacher of Grouville School said; "We are thrilled to announce that Grouville School has been awarded a £1,500 grant from the Better Journeys Project to support our innovative Bike Bus initiative. This funding will help us promote active, healthy, and sustainable travel among our pupils, encouraging them to cycle safely to and from school.

At Grouville School, we are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment that supports the physical and emotional well-being of our children. The Bike Bus not only promotes physical activity but also nurtures independence, responsibility, and community spirit among our pupils.

We are grateful to Better Journeys for recognising the value of our project and for their ongoing support. We look forward to showcasing our Bike Bus during Better Journeys Week in May 2026 and continuing to inspire our school community to embrace healthier and greener travel options.

Together, we are cycling towards a healthier future for our children and our island community."

Judges were impressed with the submission which cleared showed that the school had already invested time in understanding the needs for establishing a cycling crocodile, had thought out clearly the costs for equipment to support a crocodile

The Better Journeys Project Fund for Schools is made possible by the support of 2025 Sponsor Appleby Global, the continued support of The Tom Dorey Eco-Legacy and (in Guernsey only) £1500 from The Health Improvement Commission.

Why is how we get to school important?

With rising concerns about climate change, childhood obesity and mental health it’s crucial to provide sustainable and effective transport options for students. The installation of infrastructure such as cycle parking, cycle access routes, walking routes, lockers, marketing campaigns etc at schools encourages more children to cycle or walk, which can lead to cleaner air, reduced traffic congestion, safer commute for all and healthier lifestyles. Flexible facilities gives students independence and teaches them valuable skills.

Additionally, the fund addresses a common challenge faced by schools’ limited budgets for active travel infrastructure. By providing financial assistance and expert advice, we hope to help schools develop different travel options without facing the full financial burden.