Harrogate College earns award for sustainable travel efforts

The college in Hornbeam Park Avenue has become the first college in our county to earn the Modeshift STARS schools’ award for its commitment to sustainable and active travel.

It’s one of a number of schools and colleges in North Yorkshire recognised by the national awards scheme that promotes cycling, walking and other forms of environmentally friendly methods of transport to and from schools and colleges.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, performance and projects coordinator at Harrogate College, which earned the bronze award, said they were keen to encourage students and staff to travel more actively and sustainably by choosing healthy, affordable or eco-friendly travel choices.

“At Harrogate College, sustainable travel and transport is just one part of the college’s commitment to sustainability and the green economy. As a college, we echo the districts mission to transform our transport, economy and infrastructure for a low carbon future. It’s great to have that recognised with the Modeshift STARs award,” she said.

Benefits of the scheme include:

- Healthier students – by encouraging active, healthy lifestyles for young people through more walking and cycling

- Safer students – identifying issues and improving the quality of the environment around the school

- Changing behaviour – STARS offer ways to reduce car use and increase active and sustainable travel, making the school environment cleaner, safer and healthier

- Involving the whole school or college community – students, parents and teachers working together to make a difference.

Malton Community Primary School, the Skipton Academy and St Augustine's School in Scarborough have also played their part in improving the health and well-being of children and young people by creating a travel plan that aims to achieve a shift to more sustainable modes of transport.

The Skipton Academy, which earned the bronze award, worked closely with North Yorkshire Council’s sustainable travel team and ModeShift STARS to develop a student-friendly travel map to encourage students to travel to school in the most sustainable way possible.

Malton Community Primary School also earned its bronze accolade – and has continued to work towards the silver award during lockdown.

Mandy Carpenter, teaching assistant and lead for Modeshift at Malton Community Primary School, said: “Gaining Silver has been such a wonderful achievement for us; especially when we have faced the challenges of a national lockdown. Despite postponing many of our plans, we remained driven to fulfil the key aspects of the award and are so pleased we have.

“The road on which our school is situated is one of the main routes to the A64 out of Malton and can be extremely busy with cars and HGVs. Focusing on Modeshift has created a community effort in reducing traffic and emphasising safety to pupils and adults. The safety of our community is so important to us.”

Mandy Pepworth, from the Sustainable Travel team at North Yorkshire County Council, said: “We are delighted that schools, colleges and universities are joining the national effort to increase levels of sustainable and active travel.

“By people opting to walk, cycle, scoot, or by using a park and stride approach, they all have a positive impact on the environment and people’s health, whilst easing traffic congestion outside schools and colleges.

“In spite of the pandemic, the commitment and determination shown by the schools and colleges on achieving their Modeshift STARS awards has been an inspiration to us all.”

Other schools are welcome to take part – to find out more about how sustainable travel can help your whole school community, email [email protected] or visit www.modeshiftstars.org