Listerdale and Swinton pupils hailed as "stars" for ditching the car

Listerdale Junior Academy in Brecks and Brookfield Junior Academy in Swinton were presented with sustainable and active travel awards.

The reductions have been achieved by getting more pupils walking, cycling and scooting - with staff and parents also involved in the change.

Listerdale, where the number of children arriving by car has fallen from 45 per cent four years ago to 16 now, is the first school in Rotherham to achieve the Gold STARS Award. 

Modeshift STARS is a national awards scheme established to recognise schools that have demonstrated excellence in supporting sustainable travel.

With the support of pub Brecks Beefeater, more than 20 per cent of pupils from the school make use of a park-and-stride scheme or walking bus led by volunteer parents and school staff.

The percentage of pupils scooting to school has increased from 4.5 per cent to more than 26 per cent over the four years.

Rotherham Borough Council cabinet member Cllr Denise Lelliott presented the STARS award to pupils, who were also treated to a visit from Rotherham United mascot Miller Bear.

Principal David Simpson said: “We’re thrilled that the efforts of our staff, students and parents are being recognised.

“There has been a clear reduction in traffic outside school, which reduces air pollution and improves the health and wellbeing of our pupils.”

Scooting, cycling and walking to school has also paid off for Brookfield, which was awarded the silver level accreditation - a year after signing up to the scheme. 

Travel surveys in July showed the percentage of pupils travelling to school by car had almost halved from 35 per cent to 18.5 per cent in a year.

The school has installed new bike and scooter storage areas and delivered activities including cycle safety training, puncture repair workshops and scooter skills sessions. 

Seen with their awards are Junior Road Safety Officers (left to right) Annabel Aitken (10), Aneesa Hussain (9), Connor Willey (10) and Noah Lenton (9), along with (back row, left to right) Cllr Ken Wyatt, Cllr Victoria Cusworth and Dominic Qaiser-Sweeting, Active Travel Officer for Modeshift Stars. 184390

Year 6 pupils also took part in the Schools Yorkshire Tour, which included a seven-mile bike ride to Manvers Lake and back. 

Principal Mrs Liversidge said: “Staff have worked incredibly hard over the last year to encourage active and sustainable travel and their hard work has really paid off.”

Both schools have been nominated for best primary in the National STARS School Travel Awards.