School travel planning
School travel plans help reduce vehicle traffic on the 'school run' - the journey to and from school - and encourage more active ways of getting to and from school including walking, cycling, scooting, using public transport, 'park and striding' and car sharing.
Schools develop travel plans to:
- reduce congestion
- encourage active and sustainable travel
- improve health
- reduce pollution
- help pupils get into 'sustainable travel habits' from an early age
Modeshift STARS
Schools across County Durham can develop, monitor and evaluate their school travel plan using Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition Scheme). This is a Department for Transport scheme to increase the number of children being active on the school run. There is a specific focus on walking and cycling to assist in the improvement of health and wellbeing.
It is an online travel planning system which allows schools to create their own school travel plan and track their progress. It has on-line 'hands up' travel surveys for class teachers to record information about how pupils travel to school. By repeating this survey a couple of times a year, a school can view progress made on encouraging sustainable travel.
The system can also be used by developers and consultants when planning sustainable transport in an area.
Resources
Guidance and access to the system is available on the School travel plan resources page.
Activities, events and initiatives
Schools use a range of activities, events and initiatives to deliver their school travel plan - find examples and ideas for your school on the School travel plan case studies page.