Learners celebrate national win at prestigious travel awards

This month members of the school’s Student Union attended the Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards, held at the Royal Society. The event brought together schools from across the country to celebrate excellence in active travel and sustainability.

The national recognition follows earlier success for Ninestiles, which secured both local and regional awards in October 2025 for its commitment to promoting sustainable travel. This achievement led to the school being shortlisted for the national title, competing against five other schools from across the UK.

Now in its sixteenth year, the National STARS Summit is supported by long-standing funding from the Department for Transport and highlights the impact of active travel initiatives nationwide.

The day proved to be a memorable one for Ninestiles, with learners confidently sharing their work and achievements with peers from across the country, as well as the Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood MP. Adding to the excitement, local MP Jess Phillips made a surprise appearance at the event and took time to meet with Ninestiles learners, posing for photos and celebrating their success.

From pitching ideas to industry experts and securing funding to launching walking and cycling competitions, Ninestiles learners have driven a wave of sustainable travel initiatives that are reshaping habits across the school community. Their campaigns, including road safety videos, step-count challenges, and sustainable travel weeks supported by the Mayor of Solihull, have encouraged learners, staff members, and families to rethink how they travel.

The Modeshift award marks a significant milestone for Ninestiles and reflects the school’s ongoing dedication to sustainability, student leadership and community impact.

Ninestiles’ continued commitment in Modeshift STARS travel planning by their Active Travel Ambassadors has helped secure priority status on Birmingham City Council’s Safer School Journeys programme. This will respond to existing concerns around unsafe parking and speeding in the local area, with investment aiming to create a safer, more welcoming environment for learners and families, supporting the school’s ongoing efforts to encourage active, sustainable travel. Design and delivery of the scheme is planned for the coming months.

Alex Hughes, Principal at Ninestiles, an Academy said: “Our Student Union team were incredible from start to finish. We felt extremely proud watching them represent our school with such confidence, passion and professionalism. This award is a testament to their hard work and commitment to making a positive difference.”