Swain House Primary School is a community primary school in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The school provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where pupils are encouraged to achieve their full potential academically, socially and emotionally. As a myHappymind school, Swain House is committed to promoting positive mindsets, building self-esteem and strengthening confidence.
Building the Foundations
Clare Pugh, Headteacher at Swain House Primary, wanted to work with Modeshift to address the road safety issues caused by car congestion and inappropriate parking on the narrow roads around the school.
The school was already promoting road safety and active travel through regular road safety assemblies, the Living Streets Daily Travel Tracker, scooters at playtime, new bike and scooter racks, and more opportunities for local area walks. But, Clare felt more action was needed!
Working Together
Working together, Tanya Blake Miller, Modeshift West Yorkshire Education Officer, and Lewis Birkinshaw, Teacher and Active Travel Lead at Swain House Primary, developed a plan to increase active travel while improving safety, health and wellbeing across the school community.
In January 2026, a Modeshift Active Travel Launch Assembly marked the start of a whole-school campaign encouraging active journeys to school. The campaign included themed and reward-based walk, scoot and cycle to school days, participation in the two-week Big Walk and Wheel Challenge, and the Living Streets Daily Travel Tracker class league table challenge.
Active Travel Inspectors
Next, the school elected six Active Travel Champions to take part in an Active Travel Inspection, giving pupils a voice in improving their local area.
During the inspection, the pupils identified what the community lacked and suggested improvements to make walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting safer and more attractive. Their findings were then shared with the local authority through Modeshift STARS.
Recognising that knowledge is key, the school also educated staff, parents and carers about the benefits of active travel through regular social media and newsletter updates, alongside a Modeshift-delivered staff meeting.
Meanwhile, physical activity and positive mental health remain key priorities at Swain House Primary School. Clare and Lewis have also developed partnerships with organisations including Junior Parkrun and Bikeability, giving pupils even more opportunities to travel actively.
Clare Pugh, Headteacher, said:
‘Modeshift STARS has had a meaningful impact on children’s growth mindsets and mental health by encouraging them to choose healthier, more active travel options to and from school. Through the initiatives introduced at Swain House Primary School, children have been given opportunities to build resilience, develop confidence, and overcome challenges within their community. The introduction of Modeshift STARS has further supported this mission by offering children opportunities to become more active at little to no cost, helping to ensure that wellbeing and active travel remain accessible to all.’
As a result, the school achieved Modeshift STARS School Travel Plan Good Accreditation in March 2026, becoming one of the first schools in Bradford to achieve Good Accreditation.
