A WORCESTER school has stepped up its road safety measures after a pupil was knocked down by a car yesterday.

Nunnery Wood High School has changed its staffing rotas to provide extra cover along its driveway off Spetchley Road in response to an 11-year-old boy suffering head and leg injuries after being hit by a car, believed to be a taxi, at about 3.12pm.

The boy was taken to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment and has been off school today to recover from the incident.

Headteacher, Alun Williams, says increased numbers of staff will be able to keep a closer eye on the students as they leave the premises at the end of the school day.

Mr Williams said: “We have reiterated the importance of being sensible and road safety, such as walking on footpaths and not stepping out.

“We are increasing the number of stuff in that particular area after the school day to make sure the students are on footpaths and not being boisterous.”

Mr Williams added the boy was walking down the drive on the opposite side from the pavement when he appears to have come out in front of the car.

“He is a little dot of a lad and an eye witness has said he was knocked up in the air, so it was nasty enough. Fortunately the taxi was not driving very fast.”

The drive has a five miles per hour speed limit and speed bumps as traffic calming measures.

Resident Keith Burton, speaking for Spetchley Road Area Residents Association, said he continues to worry about the mix of school children, older people and parked cars along the road.

“It highlights the kids have got to keep their wits about them. Where you have the mix of kids, older people and cars parked, the whole situation just worries me.”

He added: “It’s like pulling the one-armed bandit - you might have somebody that is not quite as lucky.”

An ambulance and rapid response vehicle attended the scene along with the police.