Two East Riding schools and a team working with them from East Riding of Yorkshire Council have won awards for promoting safe, active travel.
Hessle Penshurst Primary School in Winthorpe Road, Hessle, and Howden School secondary in Derwent Road, Howden, were both recognised for their successes in nurturing the importance of safe, active travel and the benefits of walking and wheeling to school.
Both were named Schools of the Year for the East Riding and Humber area at the Modeshift STARS Regional Awards after both schools entered travels plans which were judged ‘outstanding’, achieving the organisation’s highest national accreditation.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s sustainable transport team was also presented with the Team Modeshift Organisation of the Year award at the national Modeshift conference for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of sustainable transport.
Modeshift is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting and promoting sustainable travel with professionals and organisations and delivering a nationally recognised accreditation scheme, Modeshift STARS.
Modeshift is supported by Active Travel England at the Department for Transport and the Bikeability Trust.
Ryan Gardiner, head of personal, social, health and economic education and travel plan coordinator at Howden School, said: “It’s a huge honour for the school and we couldn’t be happier with this recognition for all the work we’ve done in the past 12 months.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of Modeshift and the council’s sustainable transport team. Their work in school with the young people is invaluable.”
Iris Smith, travel plan co-ordinator at Hessle Penshurst Primary School, said: “We have been on our Modeshift journey for eight years and we are thrilled with the recognitions we have received, and it certainly encourages the children and their families to participate in our many active travel initiatives
“We are proud to say that safe, active travel is a part of Penshurst primary and long may we continue to encourage a sustainable future for our children.”
Recently the council’s sustainable transport team has been working with secondary schools in the area on Modeshift’s new active travel ambassadors programme.
Councillor Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “The team is delighted to receive national recognition from Modeshift and it is testament to its hard work, dedication and ambition over the years in delivering a huge variety of projects and events and developing lasting partnerships with schools and organisations.”
Modeshift chair Ross Butcher said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is one of the longest standing members of Modeshift and has always provided support, advice, and friendship to our executive board, helping to shape the future and direction of Modeshift.
“It has consistently been among our top performing local authorities nationally, both for the proportion of accredited schools across the local authority area, and for the number of schools achieving accreditation at the highest standards.
“Without the passion, commitment, and support of officers from East Riding of Yorkshire Council over the years, Modeshift would not be in the position it is today.”
PIC-EAST RIDING COUNCIL
