SCHOOLS across Worcester are being urged to join a scheme which encourages pupils to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot the school run.
Parents and teachers are being asked to consider leaving their car at home and use greener travel methods, including public transport, to help reduce carbon emissions around school buildings.
Benefits include improving both physical and mental health, along with reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
Schools can join the Modeshift STARS accreditation scheme – funded by Worcestershire County Council – and create their own School Travel Plan.
The scheme awards schools with certificates for their travel plans and increasing the number of their pupils who regularly walk, wheel, cycle or use other forms of sustainable transport on their journey to school.
St George’s CofE Primary School is the only school in Worcester to be awarded with a certificate for having a ‘good’ School Travel Plan.
Among the measures introduced by the county council at the school are parking restrictions on Henry Street and St George’s Lane North – to improve safety outside the school.
The council has also improved drainage on St George’s Lane North to prevent pools of water forming.
Louise Norris, headteacher at St George’s CofE Primary School, said: “We were very aware of the high level of traffic congestion around the school and wanted to encourage pupils to be more physically active.
“The school travel plan has been focused on achieving these aims. We really appreciate the hard work of Coun Hannah Cooper in supporting us and leading the project forward.
“We are especially proud to be the first school in Worcester to have this recognition.”
For more details visit www.modeshiftstars.org
