Sheffield school recognised for encouraging pupils to embrace active travel

Rivelin Primary School was one of five schools in South Yorkshire, and the only school in Sheffield, to be crowned winner of the 10 day active travel challenge this year, run by Modeshift STARS.

The challenge is an annual event in which school pupils are asked to think about sustainable ways to travel, with the goal of increasing the number of families travelling actively to school and reducing the number of car journeys.

Schools are sent a resource pack full of ideas for getting active – with this year’s challenge being endorsed by the city’s own Active Travel commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey.

Elizabeth Bunting, assistant headteacher of Rivelin Primary, said: “We really enjoyed active travel week and hope to continue promoting physical activity and helping the environment.

"We played walking-themed tunes each morning, such as Walking on Sunshine, that the parents and pupils thoroughly enjoyed. We also saw a decrease in car congestion. Our caretaker, who mans the road in front of our school, even commented that the roads 'were quieter than usual'.

"We had loads of parents walking with children on scooters and bikes then tasked with sometimes lugging their transportation back home. I polled several students and most said that they actively travelled to school – and still continue to do so.

"We held an Eco Day and a Harry Potter quidditch tournament during Active Travel week to promote 'unique forms of transport.”

Ms Bunting added: "Active Travel week is all about promoting all forms of sustainable travel, and I must say that flying on a broomstick is definitely an eco-friendly option.

“Our Eco Day was a whole school event and our children completed some fantastic work.”

Kat Harrison, senior transport planner at Sheffield Council and member of the South Yorkshire Modeshift team, said Rivelin was recognised for the amount of activities it held, with winners all receiving a prize.

Rivelin chose to receive a visit from British and European mountain bike trials champion Danny Butler who, when possible, will perform a stunt show at the school.

Ms Harrison added: “It’s a great show for the children and will also show that cycling can be a profession too.”

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