Leeds primary school goes from zero kids riding to school to 42 in two years

Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School of Leeds has been named the first ever National STARS School of the Year. It was awarded the title after reducing the proportion of its pupils travelling to school by car from 45.9 per cent in 2013 to 27.4 per cent in 2015.

Modeshift STARS is the Department for Transport’s national school travel awards scheme. Six schools were recognised at its first annual awards for efforts made to reduce the number of car journeys made on the school run.

In 2013, no pupils cycled to Rawdon Littlemoor Primary, but two years later the figure had increased to 42 in summer and 18 who cycle all year round. On top of this, two staff members also cycle, while another 63 pupils scoot to school.

The school has achieved this despite being all but surrounded by A roads. A combination of infrastructure to support cyclists and efforts to promote sustainable travel options on the part of school staff, pupils, parents and governors has made the difference.

Following two years of fundraising, a cycle track has also been installed within the school grounds to continue the cycling ethos.

As well as Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School, other schools to attend the ceremony were Godmanchester Primary School in Cambridgeshire, which has seen a 50 per cent increase in cycling to school; Haydonleigh Primary School in Swindon, which now sees 25 per cent of pupils cycling or scooting to school; St Bede Church of England Primary in Hampshire, which was the first school to achieve the Gold Modeshift STARS level in the county; St John’s CE(A) Primary in Stoke-on-Trent, which has achieved a 21.3 per cent reduction in car use over the last three years; and The Federation of Abbey Schools, Darlington, which has reduced car journeys to school from 35.3 per cent to 13.1 per cent.

The awards were presented by Transport Minister Lord Ahmad, who said:

“The schools being recognised today have achieved exceptional results in encouraging their pupils to take up healthier and greener travel choices.

“We are committed to Britain becoming a cycling and walking nation and we are providing £50 million for Bikeability training over the next four years so a million pupils can ride their bikes safely.

“There is no better place to instil good transport habits than in schools so the next generation get into healthy routines which improve journeys and quality of life for all.”