School travel plans (STPs)
A school travel plan (STP) outlines how a school will promote safer, active and sustainable travel to reduce the number of children being driven to and from school.
An effective plan should set out how the school will aim to:
- reduce the number of vehicles on the journey to and from school
- improve safety on the journey to and from school
- encourage more active and sustainable travel.
Like with all travel plans, it must include:
- clear and achievable aims, objectives and targets
- details of promotion and marketing
- details of monitoring and management procedures.
Every school in Medway should have an updated STP in place that is reviewed annually.
A STP is an evolving document, created by the Travel Plan Coordinator and supported by a working group.
STP working group
To create and support your STP, you'll need to set up a working group.
This should be made up of:
- parents
- governors
- students
- teachers
- residents.
The group will need to identify issues and dangers outside the school and decide on how to solve or minimise them.
How to create a school travel plan
To create a STP, we recommend using the Modeshift STARS online platform.
The Modeshift STARS online travel plan toolkit can help with:
- creating, developing and implementing travel plans
- monitoring and evaluating travel plans and initiatives
- recognising and rewarding excellence in the promotion of sustainable and active travel.
The STARS scheme offers a nationally recognised form of accreditation. Your school will receive a Modeshift plaque, certificate and use of the nationally recognised logo. You'll also have the chance to be considered for a national STARS school travel award.
There are 5 accreditation levels that schools can work towards. We recommend that all Medway schools work towards a ‘good’ travel plan after becoming a member of the STARS programme.
There are lots of active travel initiatives your school can get involved in to help you get accredited. See a list of active travel initiatives in our Active School Travel Guide.
Find out more about Modeshift STARS for schools.
Register for Modeshift STARS
You can register your school to become a Modeshift STARS member on the Modeshift STARS website.
When registering, you'll need to choose ‘Medway’ as your local authority area.
Once you have registered, email us at transportinitiatives@medway.gov.uk so that we can help you through the process.
Once registered, you'll also have access to a range of resources to support you.
Register to become a Modeshift STARS Education member
Benefits of a school travel plan
STPs can help:
- improve students' health and wellbeing by walking, scooting and cycling
- improve students' road safety skills
- improve students' awareness of their local surrounding area
- reduce congestion around the school and in the local community
- improve safety around the school
- help contribute to other school policies such as Eco/Green schools
- help establish safer routes to school via walking and cycling
- increase quality time between parents and their children
- reduce stress and time spent driving during congested times of the day
- improve the local environment by reducing air and noise pollution
- improve walking routes and road safety by identifying the need for infrastructure change such as pedestrian crossings.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to discuss school travel plans further, please email us at transportinitiatives@medway.gov.uk.