Schools from Derbyshire and Leeds were the big winners at the 2017 National Modeshift STARS School Travel Awards, which took place at the Houses of Parliament on 6 April.
Ladycross Infant School from Sandiacre in Derbyshire (pictured above) was named primary school of the year, while The Grammar School at Leeds picked up the secondary school accolade.
The awards were presented by Andrew Jones MP, Parliamentary-under-Secretary of State for Transport, who described the methods used to promote sustainable travel as ‘inspiring’.
Modeshift STARS is a national schools awards scheme which recognises schools that have demonstrated excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable school travel.
Ladycross Infant School was recognised for its commitment to best practice in sustainable school travel. Working closely with Derbyshire County Council’s Travel Smart Programme, the school has achieved an 11% reduction in car use in the last three years, with only 16% of journeys to school now being made by car.
Mr Hancock, a teacher at the school, said: “To be presented with this award is a real honour; this highlights the commitment from all of the pupils, staff, local authority and wider community.
“Taking part in Modeshift STARS has really helped our school embed a culture of sustainable travel within our curriculum and this award just shows that.”
The Grammar School at Leeds was acclaimed for reducing car usage by 9% by providing an in-house bus service for students living within a 30-mile radius of the school.
Andrew Jones MP said: “It is inspiring to learn about the creative and innovative ways schools are promoting sustainable travel. The STARS scheme ensures that young people and their families are more active and helps to reduce congestion on our roads, particularly at peak times.”
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