Sustainable Travel Award for Our Lady Star of the Sea
The logo for the Modeshift Stars scheme
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School has been accredited with their first Modeshift STARS school award.
Awards under the national scheme are given to schools that have been shown excellence in supporting their pupils and parents to travel more sustainably for their journey to school.
The school has undertaken a number of initiatives such as the Park ‘n’ Stride programme, where the children are involved in educating their parents/carers to park away from the school and walk the last five to ten minutes which significantly contributes towards ensuring a safer environment for children at the school gate.
This has supported the introduction of a School Street, which restricts cars parking directly outside the school gate at morning drop off and afternoon pick up times.
The school has completed the Bikeability and Learn to Ride programmes and starred in a promotional video during Bike to School week. They also undertook the Let’s Walk child pedestrian training programme, which is aimed at providing children with the knowledge, understanding and skills to become safer pedestrians.
The engagement of students, staff and particularly Junior Safety Officer Buddy, Lucy Holme, along with her junior safety officers, Molly and Gyunesh, demonstrates the dedication and collaboration within the school community.
The Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore, said:
It is truly inspiring to see Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School's commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and fostering a safer environment for all students and staff. Our Road Safety Team worked alongside the school and have been very impressed with the commitment shown to gain the Modeshift STARS Accreditation Award. A huge congratulations to all involved on such a wonderful achievement. We know because of the fantastic dedication of everyone, including their Junior Safety Officer Buddy, Lucy, they will soon be up for their next award.
Lucy Holme, JSO buddy and Modeshift star Travel Plan co-ordinator, added:
We are delighted that our school has achieved Approved Modeshift STARS Travel Plan Accreditation, recognising our ongoing commitment to promoting safe, sustainable, and active travel within our community. This award reflects the hard work of our pupils, staff, families, and local partners who have come together to champion safer journeys to and from school. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and will continue to build on this success as we work towards even higher standards of road safety and sustainable travel.
More schools in Cheshire West and Chester are encouraged to join the Modeshift STARS scheme, logging activities and encouraging a more active and healthier journey to school. Reducing car use and increasing active travel to school involves the whole school community – students, parents and teachers working together to make a difference.
To find out more about how sustainable travel can help your school community, search ‘Road Safety in Education’ on the Council’s website or contact the Road Safety Education Team at: roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.