The highest number of local authorities yet are now using Modeshift STARS Education to support schools across England.

Modeshift is celebrating a new milestone, with 80 local authorities now licensed to deliver Modeshift STARS Education.

This is the highest number of local authority licence holders in the programme’s history. It means that around two-thirds of upper-tier local authorities outside London now use STARS Education to support schools with effective travel planning and behaviour change.

The growth reflects the commitment of local authority teams across England to helping schools encourage healthier, safer and more active everyday journeys.

Supporting local authorities to support schools

Modeshift STARS Education gives local authorities a recognised framework to help schools develop, deliver and monitor effective School Travel Plans.

Over recent years, Modeshift has continued to develop the support available to local authority teams. This includes resources such as Active Travel Inspectors (ATI), School Mode of Travel Surveys (SMoTS), SMoTS Team Talks, Climate Action Plans and other practical guidance.

Training, events and regional networking also provide opportunities for local authority officers to share ideas, learn from one another and build connections across the wider #TeamModeshift community.

The programme has also benefited from collaboration with combined authorities, while Modeshift has continued to work directly with local authorities to understand their priorities and demonstrate how STARS can support their work.

A shared commitment to schools

Our STARS Education National Programme Manager, Stephanie Lake Cook said:

‘For Modeshift, reaching 80 local authorities is about more than the number of licences. It represents the people working directly with schools to encourage positive changes in the way children and families travel.

We are thrilled to have so many brilliant local authorities on board. It is their work directly with schools that has made STARS Education such a success. Across the country, local authority teams, and in some cases dedicated individuals, are building strong relationships with schools, inspiring action and creating lasting behaviour change.

We hope our resources, such as Active Travel Inspectors, help make that job a little easier. However, we know the real impact comes from the passion, commitment and expertise of local authority officers working with schools on the ground.

Their dedication to active travel and behaviour change is creating healthier communities, safer journeys and a brighter future for children and young people. We just have the joy of supporting them the best we can and celebrating the schools with our accreditation.’

More than an accreditation scheme

A Modeshift STARS Education licence provides local authorities with the tools and framework to support schools at every stage of their travel planning journey.

It provides a central place to manage School Travel Plans and travel data, track progress, recognise achievements and celebrate success. Local authority teams can also access practical resources, training, networking and support from the wider Modeshift community.

The programme is backed by Active Travel England, which has supported the development of STARS since 2015. Modeshift STARS has grown significantly during this time, with local authorities playing a central role in helping schools take action.

Looking ahead

Reaching 80 licensed local authorities is a significant achievement, but there is still an opportunity to reach more schools and communities.

As more local authorities come together through Modeshift STARS, they can share learning, build on successful approaches and help create lasting changes to everyday journeys.

For the team at Modeshift, the milestone is ultimately a celebration of the people behind the programme: the local authority officers working with schools every day to make a difference.

Interested in finding out more?

If you work for a local authority and would like to find out how Modeshift STARS Education could support your local priorities, contact [email protected] to find out more.

Already licensed? Join the wider #TeamModeshift community at upcoming events, Team Talks and networking opportunities and share what is working in your area.

Want to see who’s onboard already?

1. Barnsley
2. Bath and North East Somerset
3. Birmingham
4. Blackpool
5. Bolton
6. Bracknell Forest
7. Bradford
8. Bristol City of
9. Buckinghamshire
10. Bury
11. Calderdale
12. Cambridgeshire
13. Central Bedfordshire
14. Cheshire West and Chester
15. Coventry
16. Darlington
17. Derbyshire
18. Doncaster
19. Dudley
20. Durham
21. East Riding of Yorkshire
22. Essex
23. Gateshead
24. Gloucestershire
25. Hampshire
26. Herefordshire
27. Hertfordshire
28. Isle of Wight
29. Kingston upon Hull City of
30. Kirklees
31. Knowsley
32. Leeds
33. Leicestershire
34. Lincolnshire
35. Liverpool
36. Luton
37. Manchester
38. Medway
39. Middlesbrough
40. Milton Keynes
41. Newcastle upon Tyne
42. Norfolk County Council
43. North Northamptonshire Council
44. North Somerset
45. North Yorkshire
46. Northumberland
47. Oldham
48. Oxfordshire
49. Portsmouth
50. Rochdale
51. Rutland
52. Salford
53. Sandwell
54. Sheffield
55. Shropshire
56. Slough
57. Solihull
58. South Gloucestershire
59. South Tyneside
60. Southampton
61. Staffordshire
62. Stockport
63. Stoke-on-Trent
64. Suffolk
65. Surrey
66. Swindon
67. Tameside
68. Telford and Wrekin
69. Thurrock
70. Trafford
71. Transport for Greater Manchester
72. Wakefield
73. West Northamptonshire
74. West Sussex
75. Wigan
76. Wiltshire
77. Wirral
78. Wokingham
79. Wolverhampton
80. Worcestershire