Two schools in Cambridgeshire are celebrating after winning national awards for their outstanding achievements in sustainable travel to and from school. The schools are working with the Road Safety Education Team in the County Highways Service.
All Saints Interchurch Academy in March and Barnabas Oley CofE Primary in Great Gransden have received a STARS National Platinum Level award for their efforts to increase levels of walking, cycling and other forms of sustainable transport for the journey to school.
Cambridgeshire’s Road Safety Education Team are part of the Modeshift STARS scheme. The national schools awards scheme established to recognise schools that have demonstrated excellence in supporting cycling, walking and sustainable travel. The scheme encourages schools across the country to join in a major effort to increase levels of sustainable and active travel, to improve the health and well-being of children and young people.
School Travel Champion at All Saints Interchurch Academy, Ruth Johnson Said “Our aim in taking part in the scheme was to encourage a more sustainable approach to travel and to encourage our children to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle, whilst also reducing congestion and improving air quality outside school. I and my fellow travel champion Amanda Daley are thrilled at the result of the hard work of everyone at our school. We would also like to say a big thank you to the road safety team in the council who have given us so much support.”
Barnabas Oley CofE E Primary were delighted with their prestigious platinum award. Headteacher Michelle Downes said: “Since 2018 we have seen a reduction in the number of children travelling to school by car with more now scooting or walking. There has also been a significant increase in the number of children who ‘park and stride’ – these are children who tend to live further away, they get dropped off some distance from school and complete the last part of the journey on foot.
Cllr Peter McDonald, Chairman of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council said: “This is an excellent achievement and an acknowledgement of the work that we do in safer, sustainable travel in Cambridgeshire. It’s the first time the Platinum level award has been available for schools who really go the extra mile with their sustainable school travel efforts.
“Modeshift STARS presents a huge opportunity for us to increase the number of children and young people walking and cycling to schools across Cambridgeshire.”
There are 79 schools, colleges and nurseries in Cambridgeshire taking part and working towards accreditation in the Modeshift STARS scheme. To date 21 schools have achieved national STARS awards.
