Launched in 2008, the STARS Education scheme is supported by the Department for Transport and has seen over 1,400 schools in England achieve accreditation since its inception. In the Autumn and Spring of each year, schools, local authorities and key partners come together for the National STARS School Travel Awards which recognise the outstanding schools from each local authority.
Modeshift STARS offers National Accreditation for sites that have demonstrated best practice in the implementation of their Travel Plan. Sites are awarded Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum accreditation. Silver and Gold recognise sites that achieve a reduction in single-occupancy car journeys to/from their site and Platinum recognises sites that achieved an increase in active travel modes.
The scheme encourages schools across the country to join in a major effort to increase levels of sustainable and active travel in order to improve the health and well-being of children and young people.
Every school in England (outside of London) can participate in Modeshift STARS for free. On completion of an application for Modeshift STARS, schools will automatically have a brand new national standard School Travel Plan.
As of January 2016, 53 organisations representing around 10,500 schools in England are signed up to Modeshift STARS.
The Modeshift STARS online Travel Plan Toolkit provides a comprehensive Travel Plan tool that assists in:
Creating, developing and implementing Travel Plans
Monitoring and evaluating Travel Plans and the initiatives contained within them
Recognising and rewarding excellence in the promotion of sustainable and active travel
Schools in other areas can join Modeshift STARS for a fee – Modeshift recommend schools first contact their local authority school travel team to see if they are interested in taking part and if not contact Modeshift direct.