The STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools) initiative, led by sustainable travel organisation Modeshift, supports schools in designing, delivering and evaluating strategies that encourage Active Travel.

At their core, Active Travel initiatives promote walking and cycling as ways to improve physical wellbeing while simultaneously reducing the number of journeys made by car. This approach supports a broader cultural shift towards healthier lifestyles and more sustainable methods of transport.  

The STARS accreditation recognises schools that have achieved measurable changes in travel habits over a three-year period. At Withernsea High, data shows that increased walking and car sharing have led to a 50 per cent reduction in school-run car journeys. Staff have also contributed by using public transport, car sharing, and choosing active options for commuting, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in regular car usage.

Jason McAleese, Active Travel Ambassador coordinator at Modeshift, said: “Thanks to the commitment of the whole school community, Withernsea High has seen a modal shift, with fewer car journeys and an uptake in Active Travel. This shift, along with the school’s wider efforts to promote sustainable travel, has resulted in their well-deserved ‘outstanding’ accreditation.

“I would like to congratulate the students and staff on their efforts. The scheme has been a huge success thanks to collaboration between the school, Modeshift, the East Riding Sustainable Transport Team, and Active Withernsea – proving that teamwork is key to meaningful change. The school has embedded Active Travel through regular events and campaigns, supported by truly outstanding travel ambassadors who are an inspiring part of ‘Team Modeshift’.”

Since 2023, Withernsea High has been one of several schools in the East Riding to recruit student ambassadors to help promote Active Travel in their community. The ambassadors guided the school through STARS’ five-step accreditation process. This began with setting clear aims and objectives for a travel plan, followed by a site audit and survey to assess existing travel habits. From this, they established targets and delivered an action plan to encourage Active Travel. 

Jason added: “The accreditation scheme empowers organisations to improve everyday journeys. In schools, this means making daily travel safer, healthier and more enjoyable. There are five levels of accreditation, ranging from ‘approved’ to ‘outstanding’. To progress through the levels, schools must deliver initiatives that encourage long-term behavioural change.”

Withernsea’s Active Travel Ambassadors (ATAs) were presented with their award during a celebration day hosted at the school. The event brought together more than 100 students from seven secondary schools and two primary schools in the ATA programme to showcase their campaigns and share impact reports.

Schools in attendance included Holderness Academy, Cottingham High School, Wolfreton School, Market Weighton School, Howden School, Headlands School, Mount Pleasant C of E Junior School, and Penshurst Primary School.

The celebration featured a variety of hands-on activities, including a road safety ‘codebreaker’ challenge. Students were also given opportunities to race on a grass track and test their skills on a pump circuit, where riders generate speed through up-and-down body movements instead of pedalling.

A number of unusual bikes were also available for students to try, including penny farthings, tandems and KMX Karts - a tricycle combining elements of a go-kart, BMX and mountain bike, ridden in a reclined position. A seven-seater conference bike, where all riders are encouraged to pedal together, proved to be a particular highlight of the event.

Reflecting on the impact of the day, Jason said: “It was a great opportunity for us to showcase what is possible. All ATA schools in the East Riding were invited, with seven of the fourteen able to attend, along with two primary schools who are excelling in their Modeshift STARS travel plan accreditations.

“The event was a great success, with all the ATAs throwing themselves into the activities. It also provided an opportunity for Modeshift and the East Riding Sustainable Transport team to give something back in recognition of the schools’ hard work. It wasn’t all play though, as the ATAs presented their campaign impact reports during a networking lunch, giving them the opportunity to showcase their achievements and learn from each other. At Modeshift, we are all about sharing best practice and a good idea shared can be become a great idea.”

Nick Richmond, a teacher of PE who leads Withernsea High’s Active Travel programme, said: “It was a pleasure for us to host an event of this scale and to give our students the chance to share the many positive things that have taken place throughout the academic year. It was also a valuable opportunity to learn how Active Travel plans are working in other school communities.

“The event marked the end of another successful year, with the ‘outstanding’ accreditation the cherry on the cake. Our ambassadors have worked tirelessly and are now reaping the rewards of their efforts. I am extremely proud that we have created a genuine modal shift and are travelling more actively as a school community. Seeing this change, and having the data to back it up, is truly impressive. I would like to thank Modeshift and the East Riding Road Safety and Sustainability teams for their encouragement, support and guidance.”

The celebration event and accreditation came at the end of a busy year for the school’s ATAs, who have organised a wide range of activities to further their Active Travel ambitions. These have included road safety assemblies, bike health checks, equipment giveaways, and support for primary school pupils in the wider community with their own cycling activities.

In February, 150 Year 8 students expanded their road safety knowledge through an immersive reality experience designed to build confidence in on-road cycling. Using tablet technology with pre-loaded 360-degree videos filmed from a cyclist’s perspective, the virtual training allowed up to 30 students at a time to experience the reality of cycling – all without leaving the classroom.

Delivered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Road Safety Team, the immersive training aims to inspire young people to cycle more by highlighting its benefits while preparing them for on-road experiences. It caters for all ability levels, from complete beginners to those who have already completed ‘Bikeability’, the government’s national cycle training programme, at Levels 1 and 2.

Cycling has recently gained greater prominence at the school after being added to the PE curriculum – making it one of the first in the country to offer cycling as part of timetabled lessons. This was made possible through funding from East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Sustainable Travel Team and Sport England, which enabled the purchase of 25 mountain bikes and secure storage facilities. To date, every Year 7 and 8 student has had at least one opportunity to cycle in a PE lesson, with further cycling opportunities made available in an extra-curricular club.

In addition, trained technicians from cycle charity R-evolution have provided free bike servicing, including brake and gear adjustments and basic tyre inflation, for the school’s regular cyclists. The Sustainable Travel Team has also organised lights and locks giveaways to improve safety and security, while helmet amnesties have replaced old or unsafe helmets with brand-new ones.

Following a successful presentation at County Hall in March this year, the ATAs were awarded £450 to support their ongoing efforts to promote walking and cycling to school. At the heart of their pitch was the continuation of the school’s annual Active Travel Day – a dedicated day of incentives and activities which, since 2023, has aimed to ease congestion at the school gates by rewarding those who travel to school more sustainably. To date, the ambassadors have secured a total of £1,920 in funding from organisations including Modeshift, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Active Withernsea to support their plans.  

The third such event was held towards the end of the summer term and attracted participation from around 150 students and 50 staff members. Each individual was given a raffle ticket for entry into a draw for the chance to win prizes such as skateboards, bike lights, table tennis sets, footballs, rugby balls, frisbees and Amazon vouchers.

More than 25 prizes were awarded in recognition of the community’s efforts to walk, cycle, scoot, or skate to school. Those who car shared or took part in a ‘park and stride’, which involves driving part of the way and walking the remainder of the journey, were also rewarded. Students who travelled by bus from the wider catchment area were invited to take part by sharing a photograph evidencing their sustainable journey to the bus stop.  

Nick Richmond said: “Thanks to the continuing success of our now-annual Active Travel Day and incentives scheme, we have once again seen an increase in Active Travel. Under the banner of our Board for Change, our ATAs are part of a broader student-led campaign to bring meaningful change. They are incredible advocates for both sustainable travel and for our school. I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to them, and to everyone who took part in our Active Travel Day, for helping us to continue working towards our aim of making a healthier, happier and more active Withernsea.”

As a reward for their work throughout the year, the school’s 11 ATAs were treated to a cycling experience day in Dalby Forest. There, they learned how to navigate corners at speed, tackle rocky terrain and negotiate ramps and obstacles on the forest’s demanding ‘red route’ mountain bike trail.

Meanwhile, with Active Travel remaining a national priority, efforts will continue into the next academic year and beyond at Withernsea High, with its ATAs playing a key role in educating and inspiring their school community.

Funding has already been secured for several initiatives launching from September. These include the installation of a bike maintenance station, equipped with a pump and tools for everyday repairs, as well as the continuation of immersive cycle training sessions.

In addition, a ‘golden lock’ scheme will reward students who choose sustainable travel by placing a gold bike lock on a randomly selected bike or scooter in the school’s bike sheds. The owner of the chosen vehicle will win a prize. The scheme will run each half term alongside the school’s existing Active Travel reward initiatives.

Through these projects, Withernsea High aims to build on the success of its ‘outstanding’ accreditation by empowering more students and staff to embrace Active Travel, ensuring the school continues to lead the way in promoting healthier, more sustainable journeys.

ABOVE: The school’s ATAs were presented with their ‘outstanding’ accreditation during an Active Travel celebration event held in July. Pictured with the ambassadors is Nick Richmond, teacher of PE and leader of the school’s Board for Change, who oversees the school’s Active Travel programme. 

ABOVE: A racetrack and obstacle course were among the practical activities on offer during the celebration event. 

ABOVE: Among the specialist bikes available to try was a seven-seater conference bike, which required all riders to work as a team. 

ABOVE: Year 8 students were among some of the first in the East Riding to be given an opportunity to use immersive reality technology to improve their on-road cycling skills. 

ABOVE: The school’s Active Travel Ambassadors, pictured at County Hall, Beverley, where they successfully secured £450 towards the promotion of Active Travel. Pictured with the students are members of the judging panel (back left to right) Emily Cherry from the Bikeability Trust, Rob Atkin from Living Streets, Gavin Wood from Active Travel England, and presenter David Eliot from Histrionics. [Photo Credit Nick Richmond]

ABOVE: As a reward for all their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the academic year, the school’s ATAs were treated to a mountain biking adventure day at Dalby Forest.