Bike Maintenance Skills for Life for Fairfield School SEND pupils
Hasnain and Prosper from Fairfield School learning bike maintenance skills with Allan and Rob from Everybody’s Cycling
Pupils at schools across West Yorkshire have received free bike maintenance training under a scheme funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Fairfield School, Batley, is one of fifteen schools taking part in cycle maintenance sessions designed for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
The sessions are tailored to suit each group’s age, aptitude, and ability. The pupils learn how to do a quick “pre-flight” check to make sure a bike is safe to use, then how to mend a puncture, before moving on to looking at brakes and gears.
These practical techniques often give children confidence and a real sense of achievement, as well as developing their skills in communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
Ethen learns about brakes with Allan and Rob
Hasnain tackles a tyre with Allan
Prosper replaces handlebars under Rob’s guidance
Lucy Roche is Deputy Head, Post-16 Lead and Careers Lead at Fairfield School. She said “We are a Special School for ages 3 – 19 for students with multiple and complex needs. We aim to develop independence and life skills for work – our students often go on into supported employment. This bike scheme is really good, because it’s practical and hands-on, which is very appealing to lots of our students.
“Hasnain has really taken to it; he really likes the hands-on, practical stuff, and our students often respond well to visitors from the outside community. You can see he’s really enjoying it, and it’s lovely to see.
The scheme has shown us that students like Hasnain have practical, transferable skills that can be developed and used in other, workplace settings.
“I’m really impressed with the program and how beneficial it’s been. I’d recommend every school do this if they get an opportunity.”
Hasnain clearly enjoying his work!
Ted is a school Activity Support Officer who works very closely with Hasnain and a number of other students. He says:
“Hasnain is really enjoying what you’ve brought to school. It’s a practical skillset they’re learning; some real-world experience. It’s good for all age-groups, but it’s especially good for this post-16 department – it’s preparing the students for adulthood – and it’s fun as well. Hasnain has been smiling all the way through! The stuff we’re learning today will help with learning other, similar things. This scheme is definitely a good idea!”
Allan Winch works for Everybody’s Cycling and has delivered many of the sessions in West Yorkshire. Allan says:
“We’ve encountered children of a wide range of abilities, but everyone has gained something from our sessions (including us!). We know how much some children have benefitted when they don’t want to leave: we get hugs, fist-bumps, and high-fives at the end.
They’ve clearly got a huge boost to their self-esteem from having learned a skill and then put it into practice with us. Students lacking confidence have come out of their shells and joined in; others were reluctant to get hands-on initially but then couldn’t resist picking up the tools and getting stuck in. Some children form collaborative teams, playing to the strengths and working around the weaknesses of each of them to put what they’ve learned into use and get a task done.”
Everybody’s Cycling is a not-for-profit events organisation offering a range of fun and practical cycling activities and programmes across the UK, to encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy riding. Using their charitable status, they develop innovative projects around cycling, aiming to give more people the chance to ride a wide selection of bikes and trikes, learn cycle maintenance, improve their riding skills – and all the benefits that go with those things.
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During the summer of 2025, fifteen special schools across West Yorkshire have each benefitted from six hours of sessions, which have been attended by groups of between four and eight pupils. The schools include:
• Fairfield School, Batley
• Evolve Academy, Wakefield
• Hazelbeck School, Bingley
• Oakfield Park School, Pontefract
• Reach Academy, Batley
• Co-op Academy, Southfield, Bradford
• Camphill School, Wakefield
• Springwell Academies (North, South and East sites), Leeds
• Ravenscliffe School, Halifax
• Southgate School, Huddersfield
• Newsome Academy, Huddersfield
• High Park School, Bradford
• WH Smith School, Calderdale
If your school would like us to bring our bike maintenance sessions, cycle try-outs, or any other activities to encourage your students and staff to cycle, please contact us by clicking the button below, or send an email to hello@everybodyscycling.org.uk and we can provide a competitive quote.
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