Over 1,000 London schools achieve Gold accreditation with TfL programme
More than 1,000 schools in London have achieved Gold accreditation through the TfL Travel for Life school programme.
As of the end of August, TfL recorded a year-on-year increase of 283 schools that have achieved Gold accreditation, bringing the total number of schools with Gold accreditation to 1,009. To reach this standard, schools must either reduce car use by 6% or ensure that 90% of journeys to school are made by sustainable transport.
Over the last academic year, Barking and Dagenham, Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham and Westminster at least doubled the number of schools achieving Gold accreditation, with Harrow increasing from 12 to 27 schools. Waltham Forest has the highest proportion of schools engaged at any level with the TfL Travel for Life school programme, with almost nine in ten taking part, whilst Lambeth saw the biggest year-on-year increase of engaged schools, almost doubling the number over the last year.
In Uxbridge, St Helen’s College reached Gold accreditation for the third time. The achievement of its students included sourcing money for new scooter parking and funding from London Borough of Hillingdon to go towards road safety and active travel initiatives at the school. Other initiatives included sessions led by sixth-form students for younger year groups on hate crime and racism.
“The best thing about TfL Travel for Life is seeing children empowered to make a difference. Whether it’s taking part in events like Walk to School Week, joining our travel working group, or simply choosing to walk instead of drive, pupils feel ownership and pride in their contributions,” said Sylvie Igidbashian, PSHE lead at Gifford Primary in Ealing, which achieved Gold accreditation in August.
The TfL Travel for Life programme has been running since 2004. It offers free educational activities for schools with children aged 3 to 17 and is delivered in partnership with the London Transport Museum and all London boroughs. The programme encourages children to travel actively, responsibly and safely.
“The programme is helping the next generation of Londoners understand both the importance and the joys of active travel so I’m delighted that the programme is continuing to expand as we build a greener and safer London for everyone,” said Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner.
