TfL celebrates 'star' schools in promoting safer travel
Transport for London (TfL) has today celebrated the achievements of over a thousand schools across London in promoting active and safer travel at an event at City Hall, as part of TfL's STARS (Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe) schools initiative.
Almost half of London schools are now accredited to TfL's STARS programme, which launched in 2007 to encourage children, parents and teachers to adopt more sustainable and safe ways of travelling to school. This equates to 1,385 primary and secondary schools across the capital, up 11% from 2013.
Schools are judged on the number of initiatives delivered and their success in changing travel behaviour with Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditation levels. The highest performing schools across London attended the annual event at City Hall, which recognised achievements in reducing car use, increasing walking and cycling and using public transport more responsibly. Awards were presented for the best primary and secondary school in North, South, East and West London, schools of excellence (in different travel areas) and a special recognition award.
The overall best primary and secondary schools in the regions include;
- Brookland Junior School, Barnet (North London)
- West Lea Secondary School, Enfield (North London)
- Wentworth Nursery School, Hackney (East London)
- Oaks Park High School, Redbridge (East London)
- DUCKS Primary School, Southwark (South London)
- Link Secondary School, Sutton (South London)
- Alexandra Infant and Nursery school, Hounslow (West London)
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of TfL Surface Transport, said: `We are committed to making travel in London an enjoyable, healthy and safe experience for young people. The work being accomplished by STARS accredited schools and particularly London's Gold performing schools are inspirational examples of what can be achieved to promote safer and active travel choices. We hope that by celebrating their achievements we will encourage all London children to travel safely, actively and responsibly to school.`
At six regional events held across London last month, all STARS accredited schools received Bronze, Silver and Gold grading for their initiatives.
They also pledged to increase their activities and nine regional school travel plan champions were recognised for outstanding individual results.
Since 2007, STARS accredited schools have achieved an 8% reduction in car use as part of the school journey, with Silver and Gold schools achieving the greatest success in increasing walking and cycling to school. New for 2014, STARS allows schools to capture all of their accreditation activity through an easy-to-use online portal as part of the TfL website. This is part of TfL's efforts to make it easier for schools to focus on delivery, while capturing evidence of their initiatives. TfL's work will continue to drive efficiencies and enhancements for schools promoting safer and active travel across London.
Earlier this year TfL also launched a Delivery Plan for Schools and Young People, which outlines its priorities for people aged 25 and under in the capital. The plan brings together all the programmes, projects and activities available to schools and young people and highlights the importance of this stakeholder group to TfL. To view the plan, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/younglondon
STARS Accreditation Scheme: in conjunction with the London boroughs, TfL supports primary and secondary schools (with over 45% currently participating) with school travel plan activities that help young people and the whole school community adopt safer and more active travel behaviour.
The scheme has three levels
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
Schools attending the 2014 City Hall event: 31 of the 459 Gold and Silver Schools from 2014 who have been nominated for awards.
Awards that will be presented at the City Hall event include:
- School of the Region - The 33 London boroughs are divided into four regions - North, South, East, and West. In each region, one primary school and one secondary school will be awarded School of the Region where they have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to active, safer and responsible school travel.
- School of Excellence - This award recognises schools that have demonstrated innovative and outstanding achievements in one of seven travel areas: Walking, Scootering, Cycling, Road Safety, Public Transport, Pupil Led Projects and Partnership Working. Pupil-Led Projects are those campaigns that have been initiated and delivered by pupils, demonstrating the best in peer-to-peer leadership. The Partnership Working award recognises the best efforts in bringing internal and external parties together to achieve change for the school community. ·
- Special Recognition awards - new for 2014 these awards recognise schools for exceptional work
- School Travel Plan Champion of the Region - This award recognises an individual's dedication to engrain an active and safer travel ethos within their school and the wider community
For further details on the STARS Accreditation Scheme, and the full range of programmes TfL offers to schools and young people, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/younglondon or www.tfl.gov.uk/stars