MORE schools in York are signing up to a national campaign to improve road safety and encourage parents to ditch the car on the school run.

Three more city schools have been recognised for their work in helping to make their local areas safer by reducing car journeys and using sustainable forms of transport such as walking, cycling and scooting.

It's all part of the Modeshift STARS (sustainable travel accreditation and road safety for schools) scheme, a national on-line tool showcasing green travel options. It recognises schools that are working hard not only to encourage parents and staff to travel to school more sustainably but also use sustainable transport as part of their curriculum activities.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs RC Primary School, Bishopthorpe Infants School and Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy have all achieved a bronze award and are a step closer towards gaining a ‘silver accreditation’.

They are following in the footsteps of Archbishop of York CE Junior School, who achieved the Modeshift STARS gold award in Autumn 2015, by becoming the latest schools to sign up to a national road safety campaign.

As The Press reported at the time, Archbishop's head teacher, Jonathan Green, said: “We have worked incredibly hard to achieve this award and it has been something that the whole school community has bought into.

"We are all thrilled and incredibly proud to have achieved this very special award.”

Cllr Ian Gillies, City of York Council's executive member for transport and planning, said: “It’s great to see more schools, pupils, parents and carers getting involved in the national Modeshift Stars scheme.

"Not only are they reducing the number of cars around the school they are also helping to encourage a more healthy and active lifestyle. I hope that we will see even more schools step up to the challenge in the future.”

For more information on Modeshift STARS, or sustainable travel in York visit: www.itravelyork.info/for-schools/travel-planning/stars