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Barnet schools win record numbers of STARS

Author: Nina Romain

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This week has seen nearly 100 Barnet schools receiving their 2016 Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe (STARS) awards at the Transport for London (TfL) seminars in central London.

This is the borough’s most successful year, with 98 schools being awarded 35 Bronze, 22 Silver and 41 Gold awards.

The awards recognise Barnet’s schools’ commitment to promoting safer and more sustainable travel to and from school by encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport, rather than cars.

Schools are awarded STARS accreditation in Bronze, Silver or Gold levels, based on the positive impact their school travel plans have on how their staff, pupils and families travel. The number of activities and projects that schools have put into action is also considered.

TfL’s STARS accreditation scheme inspires young Londoners to think differently about travel and its impact on their health, wellbeing and the environment. The Safe and Sustainable Officers from Re Ltd have helped Barnet schools develop a school travel plan to do this.

Councillor Reuben Thompstone, Chairman of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee, said: “It’s good to see our commitment to keeping our borough and pupils healthy recognised with these awards.

“With fewer cars on the school run, we can all enjoy cleaner air quality, as well as less congestion and parking issues near schools.

“The more active travel our children and families do, it will make their lifestyle healthier, as well as increasing road and personal safety awareness – all vital skills they will need for adulthood.”