Ten schools in Hull have now signed up to take part in Modeshift STARS, a scheme designed to encourage youngsters to travel actively.
The programme offers training to children and young people to develop their confidence and skills to make their journey to school by bicycle.
Sirius Academy West is just one of those schools that has taken up the challenge to engage with their students in how to incorporate regular activity into their everyday lives.
Over 1,000 students from the academy have engaged with the scheme so far.
Alex Sherwood, school games organiser for Sirius Academy West said: “I think every school in Hull should be looking to use Modeshift STARS as a tool to help them develop more physically active students and reap the benefits that come with it.
“Active children are more effective learners with evidence showing that sedentary lifestyles can have a detrimental impact on effective learning behaviours. Being active before lessons through active travel can have a positive effect on concentration, cognition, and engagement in learning.”
Modeshift STARS is a scheme which is being offered to schools across the city in a bid to inspire students to walk or cycle to and from school.
Thank you so much for helping us reach 10 signed up schools this term with our Modeshift STARS programme! ⭐#FirstStepCycle #ModeshiftSTARS #ActiveTravel #SustainableTravel #Hull pic.twitter.com/iZCATlxLtg
— First Step Cycle (@firststep_cycle) December 8, 2021
Bellfield Primary School was one of the first schools to sign-up to the scheme which was launched as part of Bike to School Week in October this year.
Other schools that have now taken part include Thanet Primary, Priory Primary, Christopher Pickering Primary, Mountbatten Primary School, Wheeler Primary School, Sirius West Academy, Parkstone Primary School, Chiltern Primary School, Bricknell Primary School and St Anthony’s VC Academy.
Councillor Dean Kirk, portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways said: “We’re pleased that ten schools in the city have already taken part in Modeshift STARS scheme, and we hope that as we move into 2022, more schools in Hull follow suit and take up this opportunity to encourage their students to travel actively.
“We recognise that supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of our students is vital to their development, and walking and cycling to and from school is a great way to do this.
“Ultimately we want to work with our residents to build a cleaner, greener city and one way to do this is to enable people to travel sustainably by improving cycling and walking facilities and ensuring they are equipped with the right skills to travel safely and actively.”
First Step Sports Group are delivering the programme on behalf of Hull City Council, and can assist with the application process, how to complete initiatives and to achieve the Modeshift STARS accreditation.
Find out more at First Step Sports.
