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Modeshift STARS is the national school awards scheme that recognises excellence in supporting walking, cycling and wheeling. It helps schools develop travel plans that reduce car use, improve air quality, and encourage healthier, safer journeys.
Every school in North Somerset can take part with support from the council’s Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Team, as part of the council’s wider commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting healthier communities.
Becket Primary School in Worle has been named both South West Local Authority School of the Year for North Somerset and South West Regional Primary School of the Year, in recognition of its outstanding commitment to promoting sustainable travel.
The school also achieved the Outstanding Level Award, the highest possible national accreditation, placing Becket among the top schools in the country, with only around 160 shortlisted for this year’s top awards.
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Families, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “I was so pleased to be there to share the excitement of the pupils and staff! It is inspiring to see schools like Becket Primary leading by example. Their creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to active travel show how small, local actions can make a big difference - reducing emissions, improving health, and creating safer streets for everyone.”
Becket’s whole-school approach has significantly increased active travel, with walking, cycling and scooting rising from 64% in March 2023 to over 80% in their award year. During National Walking Month in May, the school achieved 85% active travel participation during Walk to School Week.
Headteacher Zoe Bembridge said: “We are so proud to have achieved the Modeshift STARS Award for encouraging active travel to school. Lots of children at Becket already walk, ride or scoot to school and we are really keen to continue encouraging active travel and find ways to have fewer cars dropping off by the school gates.”
Becket Primary will celebrate its success at the National STARS School Travel Awards ceremony at the Royal Society in London in March 2026.
Other North Somerset schools recognised for their achievements during this year’s awards include Christ Church CofE Primary, Haywood Village Academy, Kewstoke Primary, Milton Park Primary, St Peter’s CofE Primary, and Windwhistle Primary.
Schools interested in joining the programme can contact the Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Team at:
abbie.edbrooke@n-somerset.gov.uk or Sustainable.Travel@n-somerset.gov.uk