Young people were at the centre of celebrations at Ninestiles, an Academy, as Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, visited the school to formally present the prestigious Modeshift STARS National Secondary School of the Year 2025/26 Award, which the school was announced as winning earlier this year.
The award recognises the school’s outstanding commitment to improving everyday journeys across its community.
Through its long-standing involvement in the Active Travel Ambassadors (ATA) programme, the school has progressed rapidly. As a result, it has achieved an Outstanding School Travel Plan, embedded active travel into school life and set a benchmark for secondary schools across the country.
Active Travel Ambassadors Lead the Way
The award reflects the efforts of the whole school community. In particular, it celebrates the work of around 30 Active Travel Ambassadors.
The pupils have led active travel initiatives, presented at the STARS Summit and supported environmental campaigns. In doing so, they have encouraged more students to choose active and sustainable travel.
During the visit, the students welcomed the Mayor and shared how they have helped improve journeys to and from school. They also outlined their ideas for safer, healthier and more accessible streets for young people.
Shaping Safer School Journeys
The award comes at an important time for the school.
Ninestiles, an Academy has been selected for Birmingham’s Safer School Journeys programme. Plans are now being developed to improve the roads and streets around the school.
As a result, students will have an opportunity to help shape future improvements in their local area. Their work demonstrates how behaviour change and infrastructure investment can work together to create lasting change.
Young Voices Influencing Change
Students also took part in discussions with the Mayor and invited guests. Throughout the session, they shared their views on the future of active travel in the West Midlands.
The conversations highlighted the importance of listening to young people. Equally important, they showed the value of giving pupils meaningful opportunities to influence the places where they live, learn and travel.
Nick Butler, Modeshift Chief Executive said:
‘This award recognises the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the entire school community. What stands out most is the leadership demonstrated by the Active Travel Ambassadors. They have not only encouraged their peers to think differently about their journeys, but have also shown how young people can influence positive change in their school and wider community.’
Sheran Kaur, ATA School Champion, said:
We love working with everyone at Modeshift and Active Travel Ambassadors has been a brilliant project for our Student Council to get stuck into. This leadership opportunity in school has grown – we’ve gone from 10 to 30 students – partly because ATA has led to so many connections and opportunities for our learners. This week alone we have shared our experiences and ideas with Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands when he visited our school and also been spotlighted at the STARS Secondary School of the Year Awards online event.
A National Recognition
The award highlights the impact young people can have when they are empowered to lead change.
Through the Modeshift STARS programme, schools across the country are helping pupils develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to improve everyday journeys and support healthier communities.
For the students at Ninestiles, this national recognition celebrates everything they have achieved so far. Looking ahead, it also provides inspiration for what comes next. As plans for local improvements move forward, their voices will continue to play an important role in shaping safer journeys for future generations.
