More than 80 Barnet schools were recently awarded TfL Travel for Life accreditation, celebrating their positive steps towards increasing active travel.
TfL Travel for Life (formally known as STARS) is an accreditation scheme for London schools and nurseries. It aims to inspire young Londoners to travel to school sustainably, actively, responsibly, and safely by championing walking, scooting and cycling.
Barnet Council’s Safe and Sustainable Travel team works alongside schools in the borough to create, share and deliver safe and sustainable initiatives.
In total, 81 of Barnet’s schools submitted their School Travel Plan and were awarded a TfL Travel for Life accreditation – with 48 receiving gold, nine silver and 26 bronze.
Cllr Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “We’re so proud of our children and their teachers and parents for helping us reach this achievement.
“You have helped us reduce congestion, improve road safety and improve the health and wellbeing of our growing young people.
“We have committed to making our council net zero by 2030, and our borough net zero by 2042. You are doing your bit to make this a reality. Thank you.”
Since 2007, TfL, in partnership with all London boroughs and the London Transport Museum, has run a variety of school programmes for pupils aged 3-17 years.
These are designed to help young Londoners travel better and choose active travel options – walking, cycling and scooting.
The majority of London’s 3,313 schools are participating in one or more of the TfL education programmes formerly known as Road Safety Club, STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart.
The programmes are now being consolidated under a single banner – TfL Travel for Life.
TfL says this will bring all of its different programmes together to create one cohesive programme through a child’s school life, that will help them travel with confidence and independence, with a new website and more support for teachers and parents.
13 December 2023