As in previous years, Suffolk County Council doubled £200 funding put forwards by Modeshift to make £400 available to each school, with an additional £50 bonus for the school with the best presentation.
The money can be used for anything from competition prizes to promotional materials.
The event, on March 13, was part of the Active Travel Ambassador programme, which works with secondary schools and councils to promote active travel.
Schools that took part last year have all reported an increase in active travel, with more pupils choosing to cycle or walk to and from school.
Councillor Alexander Nicoll, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet member for Transport Strategy, said:
“This is a fantastic programme because it gives students the confidence and skills to tackle the transport issues affecting their school and promote behaviour change.
“Lots more pupils in Suffolk are now opting to walk, cycle or take the bus to school, and it was inspiring during the pitches to hear how passionate these young people were about sustainable travel.
“I would encourage other schools to get involved with the Active Travel Ambassador programme and find out about the other sustainable and active travel initiatives Modeshift can offer.”
Participating schools were:
- Northgate High School in Ipswich – is promoting active travel through a ‘golden bike lock’ competition and a prize wheel for students who walk, cycle, or travel sustainably to school. It is also encouraging students who face barriers to active travel to take part by walking, helping everyone experience the benefits of physical activity.
- Ormiston Endeavour Academy in Ipswich – is encouraging active travel by rewarding students with tokens which can be exchanged for prizes. The school is also running a photo competition, inviting students to capture and share what they see on their journey to school.
- Claydon High School – its Green Team organised a Sustainable Travel Day, rewarding students and staff who travel actively with raffle tickets and prizes, alongside a “golden bike lock’ competition. It is also exploring ways to promote active travel year-round and have highlighted safer walking routes and crossings around the school.
- Hadleigh High School – its Eco Committee is bringing back its successful ‘Hidden in Hadleigh’ initiative, hiding painted rocks along popular walking routes for students to find and exchange for prizes. It has also introduced a points system that rewards active and sustainable travel.
- King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds – proposed a ‘golden bike lock’ prize alongside daily rewards for pupils who walk or cycle to school and suggested collaborating with nearby schools on a joint active travel campaign.
King Edward VI School was awarded the £50 bonus prize by the judges, who liked its clear messages, range of ideas, and its plan to use the funding to update and improve the school’s cycle stands.
A follow-up event will take place at the end of the summer term to assess the impact of the projects.
