Two schools in Hanwell have won awards for their promotion of sustainable and active travel in the borough.
Brentside High School was the overall winner in the Biggest Impact category at the Transport for London TfL STARS Top Schools Awards 2023. Mayfield Primary School was a finalist in the Most Innovative category.
TfL Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe (STARS) is a school travel accreditation scheme that encourages London schools and nurseries to develop a travel plan for their students to reach school by walking, scooting, cycling and using public transport.
Brentside High School STARS ambassadors with the support of their teacher and STARS champion, Eddie Keal, delivered a wide range of activities to promote safe and sustainable travel in their community.
The initiatives included a step count competition, bikers’ breakfast, the golden lock reward and active participation in the Big Walk and Wheel challenge.
Their efforts led to an 11% increase in active travel and a 19% reduction in car journeys to school.
Mayfield Primary School, a STARS gold accredited school since 2016 and with a school street since 2020, was a finalist in the category ‘most innovative’.
Mayfield Primary School, where the majority of the 410 pupils (88%) live within one mile encourages both children and parents to participate in sustainable travel and integrate it into the school’s culture.
The school purchased 60 scooters and helmets to use for trips and during school hours. Since January 2020 every class in the school has access to scooters at lunchtime twice per week. The school’s junior travel ambassadors also organise scooter discos in the playground.
The project helps to improve students’ balance, coordination and endurance levels.
School business manager and travel champion Alex Evans said: “We want everyone to understand that good choices around travelling to and from school can result in happy and healthier people and a better environment for all.”
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, said: “Huge congratulations to Brentside High School for winning and Mayfield Primary School for being a finalist. It’s wonderful to see schools in Ealing prioritising health, sustainability and safety by promoting active travel.”
Councillor Costigan added: “Many STARS schools have also got involved in our successful school street programme which is making it easier and safer for young people in Ealing to walk, cycle and scoot to school.”
Ealing currently has 21 schools with school streets and the council plans another 29 by 2026.
For more information about the STARS reward programme email sta@ealing.gov.uk
