A PRIMARY school has been recognised for its commitment to getting parents to ditch their cars during the school run after pupils released their very own music video.

Pupils at the Federation of Abbey Schools in Darlington penned the lyrics to the catchy tune ‘Don’t Just Drive, Take a Stride’ which was recorded with the help of the regional Local Motion project and rock band Strickland, as well as featuring a cameo appearance from Manchester rapper Rio Nelson.

The slick production earned Abbey School the Pupil Involvement award as part of the Modeshift STARS programme, funded by the Department for Transport which promotes the use of safe and sustainable travel to and from school.

The good news did not stop there however, as pupils and school representatives were then honoured with the distinguished North East Regional School of the Year award for outstanding efforts towards reducing the percentage of pupils travelling to school by car.

Deputy head Amanda Gledhill, who appears in the music video, said: “Last year we got our Gold accreditation and this year it has really gathered momentum because we are having such an impact on children.

“We now have Durham Police supporting us and once a week we monitor outside the school gates where the police dog comes out with a PCSO alongside our four sustainable travel ambassadors and me.

“Abbey Road gets very busy on a morning but the more enthusiastic we are, the more people we have got involved.”

Abbey hope to attract an ambitious 10,000 views for their musical venture and the school will travel to London in March next year to compete for the coveted National School of the Year award.

Ross Butcher, chair of Modeshift said: “The schools that have been recognised as Schools of the Region have achieved way beyond what is expected of them and as such, are able to demonstrate some incredible results.

“They are a shining example to all of us and prove that we really can make a difference to the journey to school."