Croydon pupils and their teachers have been named among the best in London at promoting active travel and road safety within and around their school.
Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School, Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary, Bensham Manor School and Robert Fitzroy Academy were among the winners at the annual STARS awards ceremony at City Hall.
The STARS (Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe) awards recognised 34 London primaries and secondaries out of more than 1,500 across the capital that champion active and safe travel to and from school, reduce car use, and increase walking, cycling and using public transport.
Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School in South Croydon picked up the title of School of the Region for south London for reducing car use by 6%, while Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary teacher Roshan Rampersad was named School Travel Plan Champion of the Year. There were also awards for special needs secondary Bensham Manor School in Thornton Heath, which was named as a school of excellence for cycling, and for Robert Fitzroy Academy in Addiscombe, which was named a school of excellence for scooting.
Now in its tenth year, accreditation to the STARS scheme has grown from 180 schools in 2006 to 1,557 in 2016. Schools are judged on their success in changing travel behaviour with each school awarded a bronze, silver or gold accreditation. Croydon now has 53 bronze, 13 silver and eight gold STARS-accredited schools.
“Learning how to be active and stay safe when travelling to school on our busy roads is a crucial lesson for our local children, and I’m pleased that these schools have been recognised for their work in spreading these important messages.
“Every award-winning Croydon school deserves recognition, but special praise should go to Regina Coeli pupils and staff whose efforts made them the best in south London.”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment
Leon Daniels, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “With the help of our STARS programme, we are delighted children are championing sustainable ways of travel, the importance of air quality, and road and personal safety.”
For further details on the STARS accreditation scheme and the full range of programmes TfL offers to schools and young people, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/stars or www.tfl.gov.uk/younglondon
