Northumberland schools are travel STARs

23 Oct 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Ten Northumberland schools have achieved Modeshift STARS accreditation - marking them out for excellence in promoting sustainable and active travel.

To gain accreditation schools have to complete a range of activities including Walk to School Week, Bike Week, Bikers Breakfasts, Smarter Parker Campaigns and setting up Five Minute Walking Zones.  

This makes October, and International Walk to School Month, an excellent time to celebrate all of their fantastic work.

Eight schools have achieved or renewed their bronze accreditation and two, Hareside Primary and Allendale Primary, have received the pinnacle of gold accreditation. 

In order to achieve gold each school delivered 25 initiatives, 15 supporting initiatives and demonstrated excellence in promoting sustainable travel and reducing car use.

Schools who have achieved bronze awards are:  Barndale House School, Morpeth First School, Stannington First School, Hexham Priory School, Cramlington Eastlea Primary School, NCEA Bishops Josephine Butler Primary School, Malvins Close Academy and Whittingham C of E Primary School.

Cllr Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children's services at Northumberland County Council said:  “It is fantastic to see these schools supporting the Modeshift STARS scheme and making a real difference by promoting sustainable travel at their schools, improving air quality, reducing traffic and encouraging pupils to get active every day.”

Modeshift STARS, which is supported by the Department for Transport, is the national school travel awards scheme that has been established to recognise schools that have demonstrated excellence in supporting walking, cycling and other forms of sustainable travel for the school  journey.

Sixty-nine local authorities across the country participate in the scheme representing around 15,000 schools.