The country’s leading organisations for walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport have been recognised at the Modeshift National STARS Summit, held on 18th March at the Royal Society in London.
The annual event brought together industry leaders, policymakers and campaigners to share innovative solutions for increasing sustainable travel. Seven winners were announced across categories including Business, Healthcare, Residential, Primary and Secondary schools, SEND schools and Early Years Establishments.
Outwoods Primary School, the STARS Education National Primary School of the Year
Lilian Greenwood MP, the Minister responsible for Active Travel, addressed the Summit alongside fellow MPs Graham Stuart, Rachael Hopkins, Shockat Adam, Daisy Cooper, Jess Phillips and Claire Young.
Outwoods Primary School in Staffordshire was named STARS Education National Primary School of the Year. The school has embedded sustainable travel into its curriculum through Bikeability, staff cycle training, anti-idling campaigns, parking initiatives and regular sustainability assemblies.
Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire took the STARS Business Site of the Year award. The film studio has reduced single-car occupancy rates by implementing a Travel Plan that includes an established working group, practical engagement initiatives and achievable targets.
Modeshift, a not-for-profit membership organisation governed by a voluntary executive board, supports over 800 registered industry professionals across the public, private and third sectors. The organisation champions individuals and groups working to improve everyday journeys through interventions and strategies that promote walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport use.
The Modeshift STARS accreditation scheme empowers organisations to create, deliver and measure the impact of their Travel Plans. Thousands of businesses, healthcare providers, schools and community settings across the UK use the framework to raise standards and create environments where staff, pupils and visitors can travel safely, confidently and enjoyably.
Organisers said the awards highlighted those making a significant impact in enhancing journeys to their sites, and celebrated excellence in travel planning and sustainable transport delivery nationwide.
The National STARS Travel Awards Winners are:
National Primary School of the Year 2025/26
Outwoods Primary School, Staffordshire
National Secondary School of the Year 2025/26
Ninestiles, an Academy, Birmingham
National SEND School of the Year 2025/26
Aurora Hedgeway School, South Gloucestershire
National Early Years Establishment of the Year 2025/26
South Normanton Nursery School, Derbyshire
Modeshift STARS National Sites of the Year
STARS Business National Site of the Year
Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire
STARS Healthcare National Site of the Year
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester
STARS Residential National Site of the Year
Wichelstowe, Swindon
Minister responsible for Active Travel, Lilian Greenwood MP, said: ‘Sustainable travel is about making everyday journeys healthier, greener and more accessible for everyone.
‘These award winners are leading the way, showing what can be achieved when organisations take practical steps to support walking, wheeling and cycling in their communities.
‘We’re investing £626 million for local authorities up to 2030 to deliver vital walking and cycling schemes, which is enough for 500 miles of new walking and cycling routes and 170,000 more active trips per day. This will also help boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS.’
Nick Butler, Chief Operating Officer at Modeshift, said: ‘The National STARS Summit is the culmination of a year’s worth of incredible dedication from schools, businesses, and local authorities across the country. This year’s theme, Optimising Travel Plans, highlights how vital it is to not only have a plan in place but to ensure it is delivering real-world benefits.
‘I am consistently blown away by the innovation we see from our STARS-accredited sites. Having visited many of the nominated sites, I can testify that these organisations are fundamentally changing the way their communities move. It is an honour to celebrate their success and to see the tangible impact that collective action on enhancing everyday journeys can achieve.’
Photo: scottakoz@gmail.com
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