Katherine Warington School awarded Modeshift STARS Secondary School of the Year 2023/24 at the National School Travel Awards.

Katherine Warington School, based in Harpenden has beaten off the competition to win the National Modeshift STARS Secondary School of the Year 2024.

Modeshift STARS, funded by Active Travel England, is the centre of excellence for the delivery of effective travel plans in education, business, and communities. The scheme recognises schools that have shown excellence in supporting sustainable travel to and from School.

Katherine Warington school has been involved in Modeshift STARS for the last 5 years, achieving a reduction in car use over that period.  Travel surveys show that single car journeys have decreased from 22.63% to 14% over this period while more sustainable and active modes have stayed consistent and amber modes like bus and park and stride have gone up significantly from 48.86% to 58.24%.

Katherine Warington School showed its commitment by ensuring pupils have safe and effective travel routes to school. They are keen to promote sustainable travel and have had a drop-off/pick up zones map since the day they opened in September 2019.

The school has been particularly active with their Travel Plan Working Group, made up of pupils, school staff, local councillors and local authority officers.   A range of training programmes are offered to pupils including Bikeability and transition and independent travel initiatives delivered in partnership with Living Streets.

Dean Inns, School Business Manager said ‘We are delighted to have been recognised at a national level for the work and commitment we have put in to ensure students have safe and sustainable methods of travelling to school. We will continue to work to build on this success’