As part of its aim to promote active travel in schools, TfL (Transport for London) launched an initiative called STARS.

STARS – Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe – is an accreditation scheme which aims to inspire the school community to travel sustainably, actively, responsibly and safely, and in turn make a big difference to the wellbeing and health of children.  It engages and empowers pupils to participate in active travel behaviour; including cycling, walking, scooting and using public transport.

St Elizabeth’s School Travel Plan

St Elizabeth’s has been awarded the STARS Gold Award.  This demonstrates our promotion of active and safe travel and alternative forms of travel to using the private car.

Through many initiatives to promote active travel, St Elizabeth’s has achieved its main objectives, including to:

• Improve the health of pupils by encouraging active travel, and reduce harmful emissions;
• Improve the environment by reducing congestion, thereby pollution and CO2 emissions, and at the same time improve facilities for walkers and cyclists;
• Improve safety through highways engineering measures and raise awareness through road safety education;
• Improve access and opportunity by developing pupils’ skills for safe travel.

Throughout the school year, there are many activities to promote active travel to pupils including ‘Walk to School Week’, Scooter and Cycling Proficiency, Pedestrian Skills Training, School Sponsored Walk, Road Safety Talks, Bike Market (sponsored by the Local Authority), Car Free Days (in line with National Car Free Day) and curriculum classes and assemblies focusing on the environment and health benefits of active travel.

St Elizabeth’s has also signed the pledge to become an active supporter of 'anti-idling' and actively campaigns for this purpose.  

Where possible, St Elizabeth’s uses sustainable modes of transport for school journeys and educational visits, including public bus, trains and walking.

Parents are encouraged to use active travel to and from school with their children on a daily basis.  If the car is the chosen form of transport, parents are asked to consider using the ‘Park & Stride’ initiative with the local Sainsbury’s Supermarket on Manor Road/Lower Richmond Road with a 3 hour parking allocation, or car share arrangements where possible.