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Our Active Travel Schools Calendar helps schools encourage active travel for your pupils. 

As part of our Active Travel Schools programme, your school can access resources, events, and support every month. Build up your active travel promotion at your own pace – use this guide all year round, or dip in and out throughout the year. 

We’ve broken down active travel events on a month-by-month basis, featuring:

  • Big dates in the world of active travel for 2026/27
  • Signposting to relevant campaigns, charities, and resources
  • Ways to work with the Choose How You Move team
  • Hints and tips for schools and teachers

 

Important dates

31 August

Modeshift STARS deadline

Learn more

16 - 22 September

TravelWise Week

Learn more

October

Active Travel Month

Get inspired

5 - 9 October

Cycle to School Week

Learn more

31 December

Modeshift STARS deadline

Learn more

March

Move It March

Get inspired

31 March

Modeshift STARS deadline

Learn more

May

National Walking Month

Get involved

17 - 21 May

Walk to School Week

Get inspired

31 July

Modeshift STARS deadline

Learn more

2026

August

The words "Back to school" written on a chalkboard with scissors, pencils, rulers, planners and a rubber on top.

August

As the new school year begins, it’s the perfect time to think about how your school can encourage more pupils, families and staff to choose active and sustainable travel. From running travel surveys, setting up Park and Stride sites, taking part in national campaigns to organising themed events, taking part in the Modeshift Active Travel Inspectors and promoting walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting, there are lots of ways to make active travel a key part of school life. Small changes can have a big impact on health, wellbeing, attendance, road safety and the environment.

31 August: Modeshift STARS Accreditation Deadline

Have you been working hard to encourage active travel at your school? Email the Choose How You Move team a copy of your completed task sheet including any further details for us to upload onto your Modeshift STARS account. Once you have completed a set number of tasks, we can put your school forward for accreditation. 

  • Call to action for schools

    Start planning your active travel activities for the year ahead. Set your goals, explore the opportunities available through Modeshift STARS and inspire your school community to make healthier, more sustainable travel choices. Book Active Travel Programme Or you can email the Choose How You Move team for help on how to get started.

September

A person wearing a black Choose How You Move-branded top typing on a laptop

September

14 September to 30 October: Apply for one of our School Grants 

Do you need resources to teach your schoolchildren about active travel? How about some scooters or balance bikes to introduce them to alternative modes of travel? Maybe even a new scooter pod to increase parking at your school? Then why not apply for one of Leicestershire County Council’s Active Travel Schools Grants.  

A schools warning sign for drivers on a sunny day - for schools Active Travel Calendar
 

1 September to 30 September: First Hands Up Survey 

The Hands Up Survey is a quick and easy way for pupils to share how they travel to and from school. The results help schools track travel trends, support their Modeshift STARS journey, and identify opportunities to encourage healthier, more sustainable travel choices. 

16 – 22 September: TravelWise Week

Engage in the yearly week-long challenge to travel wiser, coordinated by Modeshift. Take a look at their website to see how your school can get involved. 

  • Call to action for schools

    Complete the Hands Up Survey with your classes this month and submit your results to help shape future active travel activities and initiatives at your school. Please email completed surveys to choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.

October

Two young girls riding their push scooters on a wet footpath through a park. Walking behind them, the mother is holding an umbrella above her head to shield her from the rain while talking to her husband.

October

Is your school taking part in Active Travel Month? Why not speak to the Choose How You Move team or your local School Sports and Physical Activity Network officer for more information on what’s available in your area. 

1 – 31 October: Active Travel Month

October is Active Travel Month, a national campaign that encourages pupils, families and staff to make more journeys by walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the benefits of active travel, including improved health and wellbeing and reduced congestion around the school gate. Throughout the month, schools can take part in fun activities, challenges and events to inspire sustainable travel habits.

Theo the Fox holding a bicycle with a neon yellow backpack strapped onto the bike - for schools Active Travel Calendar

5 – 9 October: Cycle to School Week

Cycle to School Week encourages pupils, families and staff to swap the car for a bike and enjoy the benefits of active travel. Whether you’re a regular cyclist or a first timer, every journey makes a difference.

  • Call to action for schools

    Promote the October campaigns in your classroom and encourage your pupils to take part and ride to school during the week.  

November

A line of young schoolchildren in uniform listening during an assembly. Some of the children are holding lollipops - for schools Active Travel Calendar

November

2 – 30 November: Staff Survey

The Staff Travel Survey is a quick and easy way to understand how staff travel to and from school. The results support your school’s ModeshiftSTARS accreditation and help identify opportunities to encourage more sustainable travel

December

Theo, the Choose How You Move fox mascot, stands behind a bike in a green grassy area with autumn leaves on the floor. Theo is wearing a Santa hat and has tinsel draped around his shoulders.

December

1 December – 24 December: Bling Your Bike/Scooter Competition

Get creative and transform your bike into a masterpiece with our Bling Your Ride Competition! Decorate your bike or scooter using colourful, fun, and safe accessories to show your personality as you travel. Whether you choose ribbons, streamers, bells, or a themed design, this is your chance to get imaginative and inspire others to cycle more. Fantastic prizes await the most eye-catching creations!

31 December: ModeshiftSTARS Accreditation Deadline

Have you been working hard to encourage active travel at your school? Email the Choose How You Move team a copy of your completed task sheet including any further details for us to upload onto your ModeshiftSTARS account. Once you have completed a set number of tasks, we can put your school forward for accreditation.

  • Call to action for schools

    Promote the competition in your school and encourage pupils to get involved. It’s a fun way to celebrate cycling, boost enthusiasm for active travel, and showcase pupils’ creativity. Parents can submit the applications to choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.

2027

January

A father holding his toddler and walking with two young children down a neighbourhood path, walking home from school.

January

Welcome back and happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful break and are looking forward to another exciting school year. As you plan for 2027, we’re here to support your active travel goals with free resources, events, training and initiatives designed to encourage healthier, safer and more sustainable journeys to school.

1 January – 31 January: Second Hands Up Survey

The Hands Up Survey is a quick and easy way for pupils to share how they travel to and from school. The results help schools track travel trends, support their Modeshift STARS journey, and identify opportunities to encourage healthier, more sustainable travel choices.

  • Call to action for schools

    Complete the Hands Up Survey with your classes this month and submit your results to help shape future active travel activities and initiatives at your school. Please email your completed surveys to choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.

February

A young child, wearing a yellow coat, a colourful backpack, and a woolly hat with ears, walks down a path. Multiple people walk down the path in the background, including a mother pushing a pram. Walking for schools.

February

1 February – 28 February: Walk to School Bingo Competition

Students can turn walk to school into an exciting adventure with our Walk to School Bingo Competition! Pupils can complete their bingo sheet by spotting different items, landmarks, wildlife or features during their journey to school. It’s a fun way to encourage active travel, improve observation skills and help children enjoy the many benefits of walking. Complete the bingo sheet for a chance to win a fantastic prize! 

  • Call to action for schools

    Share the bingo sheets with your pupils and encourage them to take part. It’s a simple and engaging way to promote walking to school while supporting healthy, active lifestyles. Parents can submit the applications to choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.

March

Schoolchilren walking on a path against a backdrop with an old church in a park - for schools Active Travel Calendar

March

1 – 31 March: Move It March 

Move It March is a fun and engaging challenge that encourages pupils, families and staff to be more active throughout the month. Whether it’s walking, wheeling, cycling, scooting or simply choosing a more active way to travel, every journey counts. The campaign is a great opportunity to build healthy habits, improve wellbeing, reduce congestion around the school gate, and support a cleaner environment.

31 March: ModeshiftSTARS Accreditation Deadline

Have you been working hard to encourage active travel at your school? Email the Choose How You Move team a copy of your completed task sheet including any further details for us to upload onto your ModeshiftSTARS account. Once you have completed a set number of tasks, we can put your school forward for accreditation.

A boy riding a blue bike - for schools, the Active Travel Schools Calendar, the Leicestershire Bike Bank

1 – 31 March: Big Walk and Wheel

Join schools from across the UK and sign up to be part of the action.

Big Walk and Wheel is in its 18th year, and 2027 marks the first time it’s being delivered under the charity’s new name, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (the new name for Sustrans).

Join us in inspiring thousands of pupils across the UK to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to school.

  • Call to action for schools

    Get your class involved by promoting Move It March and encouraging pupils to make active journeys whenever possible. Celebrate participation, track progress and help inspire lifelong healthy travel habits.

April

Daffodils in the springtime

April

1 – 30 April: Active Travel Assemblies

Do you want your children to learn more about active travel? Why not book in for the Choose How You Move team and our volunteers to come to your school and deliver an engaging assembly.

Book here

You can choose one of the below options for your school:

  • Active Travel assembly which covers what it is, what the benefits are and how children can get involved.

  • Ant-idling which covers what it is, why it’s bad for us and the planet and how to stop it. 

  • Park & Stride which covers what it is, how they work and how they can get involved. Note: if your school has an existing Park & Stride agreement, please include the location(s) in the booking so we can tailor to your school. 

  • Call to action for schools

    Challenge your pupils to make one extra active journey each week and celebrate their achievements throughout the month. 

May

Two teenage girls with backpacks walking - for schools and Active Travel Calendar

May

1 – 31 May: National Walking Month 

National Walking Month is an annual campaign that celebrates the many benefits of walking and encourages people of all ages to make walking a part of their everyday routine. For schools, it’s a fantastic opportunity to inspire pupils, families and staff to choose walking for more of their journeys. Walking to school can improve physical and mental wellbeing, boost concentration, reduce traffic and air pollution around the school gate and help children arrive ready to learn. 

  • Call to action for schools

    Get involved by promoting walking to school throughout the month. Encourage pupils to walk, wheel, or Park and Stride where possible, and take part in activities that celebrate active travel and healthy lifestyles. 

Two schoolgirls in uniform and wearing backpacks walk together across a school playground. The girls are holding a school book on grammar - for schools Active Travel Calendar

17 – 21 May: Walk to School Week 

Join the challenge and encourage pupils, families and staff to leave the car behind and enjoy the benefits of walking to school. Every step helps improve health, wellbeing and the environment. 

  • Call to action for schools

    Promote Walk to School Week in your classroom and encourage pupils to take part in active journeys throughout the week.  

June

A row of school backpacks hung up in a line - for schools Active Travel Calendar

June

1 June – 30 June: Final Hands Up Survey  

The Hands Up Survey is a quick and easy way for pupils to share how they travel to and from school. The results help schools track travel trends, support their Modeshift STARS journey, and identify opportunities to encourage healthier, more sustainable travel choices. 

  • Call to action for schools

    Complete the survey with your classes this month and submit your results to help shape future active travel activities and initiatives at your school. 

July

Sunflowers in a field - for schools Active Travel Calendar

July

The summer holidays are the perfect time for pupils and families to enjoy the outdoors and make active travel part of their everyday adventures. Whether it’s walking to the park, cycling to see friends, scooting to local activities or exploring new routes together, active travel is a fun way to stay healthy, build confidence and enjoy the local area. Every active journey helps reduce traffic, improve wellbeing and create lasting healthy habits. 

31 July: ModeshiftSTARS Accreditation Deadline 

Have you been working hard to encourage active travel at your school? Email the Choose How You Move team a copy of your completed task sheet including any further details for us to upload onto your ModeshiftSTARS account. Once you have completed a set number of tasks, we can put your school forward for accreditation.  

  • Call to action for schools

    Encourage families to keep moving throughout the summer by choosing active travel whenever possible. Share local walking and cycling routes, promote family-friendly challenges and inspire pupils to continue their active travel journey beyond the school gates. 

Modeshift STARS Checklist

Is your school taking part in the Modeshift STARS programme? Make sure you're prepared with the pocket guide below.