KING’S Ely has become the first independent school in Cambridgeshire to win a Modeshift STARS Bronze award.
Modeshift STARS is the national awards scheme established to recognise schools and workplaces that demonstrate excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel.
The scheme encourages schools and organisations across the country to join in a major effort to increase levels of sustainable and active travel in order to improve people’s health and well-being.
All schools and companies taking part in Modeshift STARS are members of the organisation and obtain recognition of their work on sustainable travel through three levels of accreditation; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
King’s Ely is the only independent school in Cambridgeshire to have successfully completed the Bronze level – and the school’s sights are now set on achieving Silver.
Road Safety Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council, Rosemary Mullen, said: “It is not easy for independent schools to achieve modal shift due to the widespread nature of their catchment areas. However, King’s Ely has achieved this and, over the last three years, demonstrated year on year an increase in the number of children and families cycling, scooting or walking to school. The enthusiasm and commitment shown by the school for this important initiative has led to them being awarded a colourful Minipod scooter and cycle rack. People often think of transport as something you get into, such as a car, but King’s Ely has shown that it is possible to get into sustainable travel and make a real difference on the school run for staff and students alike with real benefits to both the environment and individuals’ health and fitness.”
Chief Operating Officer at King’s Ely, Mark Hart, said: “We are delighted to have received this Modeshift STARS Bronze Award. It really is testament to what our families and staff are doing in order to travel more sustainably to and from school.”