The Active Travel Inspectors (ATI) programme is helping pupils at Applefields Millthorpe School build confidence, independence and a stronger voice in shaping how they travel to school and access their local community.
Inspired by peers at Applefields Manor, their work demonstrates how travel planning programmes can be successfully adapted for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) environments to support independence and life skills development.
Last year Applefields School were shortlisted again for the Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards SEND School of the Year 2025, building on their previous success as National SEND School of the Year 2024.
You can read more about their award-winning approach here: Meet Applefields School – Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards, National SEND School of the Year 24/25 – Modeshift
Supporting independence through everyday journeys
The success of Applefields Manor and their Active Travel Ambassador (ATA) work inspired staff and pupils at Applefields Millthorpe to explore the programme further. Seeing students at Applefields Manor becoming more independent in their everyday journeys was a major motivation.
With Applefields Millthorpe located closer to York city centre, accessibility to local routes, public transport links and safe walking routes is particularly important in supporting independent travel.
After an initial Active Travel Ambassadors session exploring the benefits and barriers to active travel, staff and pupils felt it was important to better understand the area surrounding the school. This naturally led to the introduction of the Active Travel Inspectors programme.
The Active Travel Inspectors scheme, developed by Modeshift in partnership with Active Travel England, empowers Key Stage 2 pupils to inspect their local school neighbourhood and identify ways to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more enjoyable for everyday journeys. While originally designed for primary education, the programme is increasingly being adapted successfully for SEND settings.
The experience
Following a simple route planning exercise, pupils focused on inspecting the main school entrance – an important route for planned journeys into York city centre and to local transport links, including a future school trip to Selby using the train, which will be a first for the school.
The Active Travel Inspectors session was carefully adapted to ensure accessibility and engagement. By pairing the existing visual artwork with new communication tools and accessibility changes, we created an environment where pupils felt comfortable sharing their views.
Students confidently discussed:
- What supported them when travelling
- What created barriers to independent travel
- Ideas for improving their local environment
During the physical inspection, pupils identified both positive features and areas for improvement, including:
- Good pedestrian crossing facilities with fast response times
- Accessible green spaces suitable for play and social activity
Areas for improvement included:
- Poor drainage causing flooding across tactile paving
- Trip hazards on pathways directly outside the school (measured at over 20mm in places)
- Poor visibility caused by parked vehicles near key routes
These practical findings demonstrate how pupil-led inspections can directly contribute to improving everyday journeys for the whole community.
Teacher Emmy Lovewell-Evans commented:
‘The students enjoyed surveying the wider community, identifying what they thought was positive and what they thought was hazardous. The resources were accessible and engaging.’
The results
The ATI session had a significant impact on pupil confidence and independence.
Students particularly enjoyed:
- Having a voice in how their local area could be improved
- Learning important road safety skills
- Planning for future independent journeys, including walking to the train station as part of their Active and Sustainable school trip
The activity helped pupils build confidence in navigating their local environment while supporting wider school travel planning goals.
Once completed, inspection findings were uploaded to the school’s STARS account. This generates a report that can be shared with both the school and the local authority, clearly highlighting opportunities for improvement.
Uploading evidence also unlocks recognition certificates celebrating pupil participation and achievement.
In summary
The Applefields School example demonstrates how the Active Travel Inspectors programme can be successfully adapted for SEND settings, giving pupils practical life skills while helping improve local environments for everyone.
If you’re looking for a fun and engaging activity for your SEND environment that gives pupils a real voice in shaping their everyday journeys, the Active Travel Inspectors programme can help. You can find all the Active Travel Inspectors resources on your Modeshift STARS Guidance Dashboard, along with some specific ATI SEND guidance and top tips for successful delivery.
For more information visit:
Active Travel Inspectors – Modeshift
The Active Travel Ambassador (ATA) Programme | Modeshift
Or get in touch to find out how ATI can support your school.
