Support for schools

Greater Manchester is helping transform the school run, putting measures in place that promote cycling, scooting and walking and restricting access to motorised vehicles at school start and finish times.

The aim of the School Streets scheme is to help create a pleasant, child-friendly environment, whilst ensuring residents, local businesses and blue badge holders can still maintain access to the streets. As well as improving the air children breathe, it also aims to reduce traffic and parking pressures outside schools during term time, whilst encouraging more sustainable and active forms of travel to schools.   

In most cases, a School Streets project consists of a traffic regulation order and related signage, making the road outside the school a pedestrian zone during drop off and pick up times. Each programme isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach though, with measures adapted to suit each area.

You can find out more about individual schemes by contacting the school. If you're a GM-based school interested in getting involved, please contact your local council to register your interest.

Listen to Gavin Shortall, Headteacher at St James' C of E school in Rusholme, talk about his experiences.

Modeshift STARS is an online travel planning toolkit for schools, which assists in:

• Creating, developing, and implementing travel plans

• Monitoring and evaluating the initiatives contained within them

• Recognising and rewarding excellence in the promotion of active and sustainable travel.

National STARS accreditation is awarded to the schools who show excellence in promoting walking, cycling, and wheeling to and from school. There are 5 levels of accreditation: Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Register for your school here.

More reasons to get going with STARS!

We are currently offering prizes for all schools who gain their accreditation before December 2023.

Any school who gains their accreditation or moves up an accreditation level (eg from Good to Very Good) will receive an exclusive goodie bag with walking resources in.

In addition, any school gaining a Modeshift STARS accreditation level of good or above will be entered into a prize draw. Two schools across Greater Manchester will win the first prize of a scooter training session for their school and two schools per local authority will win a scooter for their school (total of 20 scooters across Greater Manchester)*.

Plus, all schools who gain accreditation receive a certificate and the right to use the Modeshift STARS logo on your website and letters.

There are other advantages to gaining accreditation, such has having a great data set on travel habits and the potential to reduce air pollution and congestion around your school.

*Age-appropriate alternatives available for winning secondary schools.

Current STARS accredited schools in Greater Manchester

Bury

• Guardian Angels RC Primary School

Manchester

• Manchester Communication Academy

• Levenshulme High School

Oldham

• Hey-with-Zion Primary School

• Christ Church C of E Primary School

• St Anne's C of E (Aided) Primary School

• Lyndhurst Primary and Nursery School

Stockport

• Stockport Academy

• Cheadle Hulme High Schoo

Tameside

• Denton Community College

Trafford

• Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

• Stretford High School

Wigan

• Aspull Church Primary School

• Castle Hill St Philip's C of E Primary School

• Lowton West Primary School

• St William's Catholic Primary School

• Woodfield Primary School

• St John's C of E Primary School, Abram

• St Mary's C of E Primary School