Pembury School trials tickit Whizz Balance Bikes
Building Balance and Confidence: Pembury School’s Experience with the Whizz Balance Bike
How one reception class used the Whizz Balance Bike to develop physical skills, confidence and resilience.
Getting started with Whizz
At Commotion we are passionate about supporting educators with high-quality products that inspire learning through play. Pembury School in Kent introduced the Whizz Balance Bike to their reception class two months ago. All 60 reception children have access to the bikes daily, giving them regular opportunities to develop balance, coordination and confidence during outdoor play.
“Having these available all week during our child-initiated learning times has helped build confidence and balance. All children in our setting are now able to use a balance bike.” Miss Howard, Reception Teacher, Pembury School, Kent, England.
Staff found setup and safety checks straightforward. Before each session they inspect the bikes, ensure the seat clamps are secure and confirm each child wears a helmet. Two members of staff supervise sessions to keep the environment safe and supportive.
Safety and stability
There was a brief adjustment period as children adapted to the lightweight bikes. Staff noticed that some pupils gained speed quickly, especially around corners. To manage this, the school now primarily uses the bikes on grass rather than tarmac.
The puncture-proof tyres and durable plastic frame have held up well to daily use and still look in excellent condition.
Physical and emotional development
The Whizz Balance Bike has proven to be more than just play equipment. Pembury School reported clear improvements in:
- Balance and coordination
- Core strength
- Spatial awareness
- Confidence, resilience and perseverance
Children who were unable to use a balance bike at the start of the year are now riding confidently. Staff highlighted that the confidence gained from cycling transfers to other activities and learning experiences.
“Self-esteem has improved, as well as resilience and perseverance.” Miss Howard, Reception Teacher, Pembury School, Kent, England.
Practicality and performance
From a practical perspective the Whizz Balance Bike works well in a busy early years setting. Staff praised how easy the bikes are to maintain and adjust. The seat height is simple to change, which allows staff to quickly tailor the bike to each child without reducing playtime.
The school stores the bikes in the shed alongside trikes. While stacking multiple bikes is not ideal, their lightweight design makes handling manageable. Pembury also welcomed the reassurance provided by the 5-year guarantee, which offers peace of mind for equipment used daily by many children.
Ratings and feedback
Pembury School rated the Whizz Balance Bike as follows:
| Feature | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Overall quality | 9 |
| Value for money | 7 |
| Child engagement | 10 |
| Durability | 10 |
| Safety features | 9 |
Recommendation: Pembury School would recommend the Whizz Balance Bike to other primary schools, noting it is easy to store, transport and offers good value for money. The school highlighted ease of use and quick adjustment as key features.
Final thoughts
Pembury School’s experience demonstrates how a simple piece of equipment can support physical development, build confidence and enrich child-initiated play. The Whizz Balance Bike is durable, easy to maintain and well suited to early years environments.
Find out more about the tickit Whizz Balance Bikes here.