Claire Young MP for Thornbury and Yate visited Aurora Hedgeway School last week to celebrate the school being named Modeshift STARS National SEND School of the Year.
The award-winning South Gloucestershire school has been recognised nationally for its innovative approach to safer, healthier and more active and sustainable school journeys.
During the visit, Claire met pupils and staff to see the school’s travel plan in action and learn more about the initiatives helping transform everyday journeys for the school community.
Modeshift STARS National SEND School of the Year
Aurora Hedgeway School recently received the title of Modeshift STARS National SEND School of the Year at the Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards in London.
The school, located in rural Pilning, has introduced a range of creative solutions to tackle transport challenges linked to its location on a single-track road and the additional travel needs associated with a SEND environment.
Initiatives include:
- A Park & Ride scheme from The Wave using a hybrid shuttle minibus
- Increased taxi sharing for pupil transport
- Independent travel training and support for pupils
- Successful campaigning to reduce the speed limit outside the school from 60mph to 20mph
Working closely with South Gloucestershire Council and local transport providers, the school has reduced car use dramatically — from 100% to just 5%.
Claire Young MP sees school travel plan in action
The visit gave Claire Young MP the opportunity to meet pupils and staff and hear directly about the impact the school’s travel initiatives are having on everyday journeys, independence and road safety.
Stephanie Lake, Modeshift STARS Programme Manager, who accompanied Claire during the visit, said:
‘Visiting Aurora Hedgeway School and seeing the travel plan in action was incredibly inspiring. The school has shown what can be achieved when creativity, collaboration and determination come together.’
From ambitious goals to national recognition
Aurora Hedgeway School first joined the Modeshift STARS programme in 2020 with a clear ambition:
‘To make our school a beacon of sustainability and align our travel plan with our Net-Zero ambitions.’
Nearly six years later, the school now holds an Excellent STARS Travel Plan..
Supporting safer and more accessible school journeys
Aurora Hedgeway School’s success highlights the impact schools can have when sustainable travel, accessibility and partnership working are placed at the heart of everyday journeys.
The school’s work has already inspired organisations across the Modeshift network. They demonstrate how even rural schools facing significant transport challenges can create meaningful change.
LINKS
Read the full case study: Aurora Hedgeway School – Modeshift STARS National SEND School of the Year 2025/26 – Modeshift
