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Sustainable Travel Programme for schools

Travelling actively to schools can be a great way for pupils to start the day, with research finding a link to improved behaviour and concentration as well as contributing to the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day for those aged 5-18. As well as this the Sustainable Travel Team at Leicestershire County Council can work with you to reduce school gate congestion and create a safer environment for pupils, staff, families and the wider community accessing your school.

Our Team can offer practical advice and support to increase levels of cycling, walking and scooting to school. There are a number of ways your school can get involved and we would be happy to meet with you to discuss the options available.

Sign Up to the Active Travel Schools Programme

Active Travel School’s Programme

This programme is designed to help pupils develop essential skills, confidence and safety awareness when travelling actively to and from school. Applications are now open for schools wishing to book visits from the Sustainable Travel Team during the 2026/27 academic year. We can deliver Scootability and/or Gearing You Up sessions to support your pupils in developing safe and sustainable travel habits. To apply please use our eform to book in your school’s sessions.

choose how you move fox mascot on a scooterScootability

Scootability is a fun and engaging practical session aimed primarily at Year 2 pupils, designed to introduce the importance of scooter safety and responsible riding. Through a range of interactive activities, children learn key skills such as:

  • Safe stopping
  • Controlled manoeuvring
  • Awareness of others
  • How to use scooters safely in different environments.

The session helps build confidence, encourages active travel, and supports pupils in developing the skills needed to scoot safely on their journey to and from school.

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

Gearing You Up is an informative session for Year 6 pupils designed to help prepare them for the transition to secondary school. The session helps pupils build confidence and independence through:

  • Basic cycle maintenance, including how to change an inner tube and carry out simple safety checks
  • Map-reading, journey-planning skills and understanding a bus timetable
  • Learning about Public Rights of Way and the Countryside Code

The programme helps pupils feel ready to travel safely, confidently and independently to their new school.

Assemblies

Book an Active Travel Assembly!

Our interactive active travel assemblies encourage pupils to walk, wheel, cycle and scoot more often, helping them stay healthy, travel safely and reduce their impact on the environment.

Delivered in a fun and engaging way, assemblies can be tailored to different age groups and support wider school travel and sustainability initiatives. They are a great way to inspire pupils, raise awareness of active travel, and promote positive travel habits across the whole school.

Get in touch to discuss availability and book a session for your school.

 

Modeshift STARS

Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools) is a free national awards scheme that recognises schools for promoting cycling, walking and other sustainable travel choices.

By joining the programme, your school will receive access to a nationally recognised School Travel Plan and can work towards one of four accreditation levels: Approved, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding.

With over 12,000 schools already taking part, Modeshift STARS provides a simple framework to support active and sustainable travel within your school community.

For further information you can view this guide for schools.

 

Get Involved!

The Choose How You Move team offers a range of free support throughout the academic year to help schools promote active travel. From assemblies and workshops to campaigns, challenges and tailored advice, we can help your pupils walk, wheel, cycle and scoot more often. Get involved and work with us to create healthier, safer and more sustainable journeys to school.

Bikeability

Bikeability is a cycling training programme delivered by Leicestershire County Council’s Road Safety Education Team. Led by nationally accredited instructors, sessions help pupils build confidence, develop essential cycling skills and learn how to ride safely and independently. These skills support active travel and can be used on journeys to school, during PE lessons and in other school-based activities.

Bikeability

Park & Stride Campaign

A Park and Stride scheme encourages families to park a short distance from school and walk the final part of their journey. This helps reduce traffic and congestion around the school gates while giving children an opportunity to be active each day. The scheme is a simple way to encourage healthier and more sustainable travel habits within the school community.

Living Streets

Active Travel Inspectors

ATI is a pupil-led programme for KS2 children that encourages pupils to explore and assess their school environment. Through a range of activities, pupils identify what helps and what makes it more difficult to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to school. The programme supports active travel and road safety, while helping children contribute to creating safer, healthier journeys for their school community.

Modeshift STARS

Set, Pedal - Go!

Set, Pedal – Go! is a cycling initiative helping children across Leicestershire gain the skills and confidence to ride a bike. The programme combines learn-to-ride sessions with access to a bike library, enabling pupils to continue practising and developing their skills. By improving access to cycling, it encourages active travel, builds confidence, and supports healthier, more sustainable journeys to school and within the local community.

Set, Pedal - Go!