Children who came up with ideas to make the roads outside their schools safer have won awards.

Brookland Junior School in Barnet, Deansbrook Infants School in Burnt Oak and The Mount, in Mill Hill, won STARS for encouraging people to walk to school.

The school travel plans were drawn up with the help of Re, a joint venture between Barnet Borough Council and Capita.

Alun Parfitt, operations director at Re, said: “We work closely with schools in Barnet to help them create and implement school travel plans that benefit their entire communities, by offering advice, guidance and support.

“It is fantastic news that Barnet schools won so many awards – they deserve them after all the hard work they put in to make sure their children and communities are healthy, stay safe on the roads and help the environment by cutting congestion.”

Brookland won the prize for the school that demonstrated the highest level of commitment to active, safer and responsible school travel.

Parents at the school ran a successful campaign for a new zebra crossing and a new walking zone around the school.

Helen Stammers, the former school travel plan champion at The Mount, picked up a special recognition award.

The Mount pupils were also awarded for coming up with ideas to get their message across, including a road safety quiz and for their Be Safe, Be Seen campaign.

Deansbrook picked up the award for excellence in walking and scooting initiatives. The pupils encourage their peers to walk to school once a week.

This year in Barnet, 45 schools achieved a bronze STARS award, 11 got silver and 19 achieved gold.

Since the introduction of school travel plans in Barnet there has been a reduction in travelling to school by car by ten per cent.

Leon Daniels, managing director of TfL Surface Transport, said: “The work being accomplished by STARS accredited schools and particularly London's gold performing schools are inspirational examples of what can be achieved to promote safer and active travel choices.

“We hope that by celebrating their achievements we will encourage all London children to travel safely, actively and responsibly to school.”