Summerhill Academy wins green award

Pictured from left to right. Ahmed Balde, Maria Zaman, Musab Suleiman.

Summerhill Academy, based in the heart of St George, has won a national green award for the way it encourages pupils to commute to school in a sustainable way to improve the health and well-being of children and young people.

Modeshift STARS is the national school’s awards scheme that has been established to recognise schools which have demonstrated excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel. The scheme encourages schools across the country to join in a major effort to increase levels of sustainable and active travel. Every school in England (outside of London) can participate in Modeshift STARS for free. On completion of an application for Modeshift STARS, schools will automatically have a brand new national standard school travel plan.

In addition to earning the award, Summerhill Academy came second in Bristol during the recent Big Walk and Wheel competition, encouraging even more families to use active, environmentally-friendly travel for their school commute. The school’s Eco-Committee is also working towards a Green Flag Award ‘Merit’ certificate, re-planting hedgerows on the school grounds and appointing energy monitors in every class.

Davinia Varela Lindley, Summerhill teacher and Active Travel Lead, said: “As a school we encourage greener, healthier ways to get to school. Working with the Modeshift team has helped us to provide assemblies on cleaner air, workshops and competitions such as the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel. It’s great as we help the environment while also supporting children to be fit and healthy.

“We looked at the school site and made sure that we had everything in place, such as bike sheds, safe crossings, and sustainable ways to get to school safely. In addition to this, we merged learning in science to reinforce the message. But we are not stopping there – we have big plans for the future!”