Out of 210 schools nominated across the South East, 13 primary schools and four special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from Buckinghamshire were shortlisted. Stoke Mandeville Combined School was first selected as Buckinghamshire’s Primary School of the Year, an outstanding achievement that secured its place in the regional judging stage. The school then went on to win the overall South East Regional Primary School of the Year award!

This fantastic recognition celebrates ten years of commitment to the school’s Travel Plan, with pupils, staff, families and the wider community all playing an important role in promoting sustainable and active travel.

Ten Years of Promoting Active and Sustainable Travel

The school’s Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) are proud of the work that has taken place over the past decade and the fantastic support received from the school community.

Throughout the year, pupils have enjoyed taking part in a range of activities designed to encourage healthier, safer and more environmentally friendly ways of travelling to school, including:

• Walk to School Week – encouraging pupils to enjoy walking to school.

• Bike to School Week – promoting cycling as a fun and active way to travel.

• Road Safety Week – helping pupils learn how to stay safe on the roads.

• Monthly Park Away Days – encouraging families to park further away from school and walk the remaining distance.

• Bikeability – giving pupils the opportunity to develop their cycling skills and confidence.

The school is also preparing to restart Footsteps training, which teaches children important pedestrian safety skills, including how to cross roads safely and why they should never stand between two parked cars.

A Fantastic Reduction in Car Use

One of the most impressive achievements of the school’s Travel Plan has been the significant reduction in the number of pupils travelling to school by car.

Over the years, car use has fallen from 51% to just 12.3%. This remarkable reduction demonstrates the positive impact of the school’s long-term commitment, alongside the support and enthusiasm of families and the wider community.

By encouraging more walking, cycling and other active travel choices, the school continues to help pupils develop healthy habits, improve road safety awareness and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

A Huge Congratulations to Our School Community!

Winning the South East Regional Primary School of the Year award is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the hard work, dedication and teamwork of everyone involved in the school’s Travel Plan over the past ten years.

A huge well done to our JRSOs, pupils, staff, families and community for helping to make Stoke Mandeville Combined School such a fantastic example of sustainable and active travel in action.

We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing our work to make journeys to and from school safer, healthier and more sustainable for everyone!