We have issued advice to children and young people preparing for the return to school and college in September, as well as to families getting ready to apply for their child’s school place.
As children and young people prepare to start the new term, roads are expected to get busier with school runs and general commutes. Our Sustainable Transport team is reminding motorists, pedestrians and cyclists of their top tips to help ensure everyone stays safe:
- Be alert – avoid distractions such as wearing headphones or using mobile phones whilst walking and cycling.
- Be prepared – if walking, make sure you have walked the route with your child before the first day of school and, where available, use wider pavements and controlled crossing points. If travelling by bus, arrive at the stop five minutes early to be prepared.
- Take extra care – the school run and morning commute can be very busy – allow extra time so you don’t feel rushed or stressed.
- Follow the rules of the road – remember the key rules of the road to keep residents and the wider community safe. Watch your speed when driving, encourage children to stop, look, listen and think when crossing the road in a safe place and hold younger children’s hands.
- Wear bright and reflective clothing – if walking or cycling, wear fluorescent or reflective clothing to ensure you’re seen by motorists, cyclists and other pedestrians.
- If cycling – make sure your bike is road worthy and wear a helmet.
Walking to school is healthier for you and the environment we live in. Many schools organise a walking bus, creating a safe and fun way to walk to school with other children and parents.
However, if you need to drive to school, parking a little further away and walking is not only good for your health, but provides more time together.
Motorists are also encouraged to park responsibly near schools, keeping all zig zag lines clear.
Residents are also reminded about School Streets, which are temporary vehicle restrictions at drop-off and pick-up times during the school term. You can see the full list of School Streets and find out more information about them on our website.
Great time to start good habits
Cllr Alex Paterson, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Highways, said: “Children across Medway will be starting or returning to school, and now is a great time to start good habits, and think about keeping safe when travelling to and from school. If you are able to, walking is one of the best ways to get to school – it’s great for your health, it helps lower congestion and it can give parents and carers a bit of extra time with their children in the morning. You might not be able to walk the whole way, but even parking up a short distance away from the school gates can give you the same benefits – and can help take some of the stress out of the school run.
“Our roads will start to get a bit busier now as well now the summer holidays are done, so we would ask motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to make sure they take extra care whilst travelling around Medway. We have some great road safety advice and tips here and on our website that we can all follow to help keep everyone safe.”
Find out more information and tips around road safety.
Primary school applications
Parents and carers across Medway will also be getting ready to apply for their child’s first school place, starting in reception class in September 2026.
Medway has an excellent choice of schools and academies to meet the needs of its children starting school for the first time.
Primary school applications for children due to start school in September 2026 open on Monday, 1 September 2025 and close on Thursday, 15 January 2026. Schools and academies are responsible for organising any open days – parents are encouraged to look at each school’s website for more information, in the first instance.
The council has also created an optional questionnaire, in partnership with Medway Community Healthcare, to help support parents and carers of children due to start school in September 2025. The questionnaire includes 23 questions which look at your child’s readiness for school, covering skills such as independently dressing themselves and going to the toilet.
Parents and carers completing the questionnaire can also request advice and support from the Health Visiting service. Asking for help will not affect your child’s school place. The questionnaire will be included at the end of the school application form.
Find out more about applying for a primary school place.
Secondary school applications
Applications for secondary school places for children due to start year 7 in September 2025 also open on Monday, 1 September, and close on Friday, 31 October.
Find out more about applying for a secondary school place.
Lots of helpful information on our website
Cllr Tracy Coombs, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Education, said: “I hope you have all had a brilliant summer and are looking forward to heading back to school – whether you’re returning for another year or starting for the first time.
“If you are a parent or carer and you are going to be applying for your child’s primary or secondary school place for next year – there is a lot of helpful information on our website to guide you through the process. Applications 2026 open on Monday, 1 September – so I would encourage you to have a look at the advice and get your applications in.”