Another Suffolk primary school has taken up the Daily Mile challenge, putting their own spin on the pioneering scheme and urging others to follow suit.
A dozen primary schools in the county have taken up the initiative to improve fitness and attainment levels since it was launched in both the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star.
Bentley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School last week launched the scheme, in which children are taken out of class and run, jog or walk a mile at least three days a week in most weather conditions.
It is currently held once a week at Bentley, at the start of PE lessons in the large playing field. Children were this week urged to beat their previous time.
Alice North, PE co-ordinator, said the Daily Mile helps pupils learn about respect and encourages them to celebrate the achievements of others.
She said: “It adds to the school’s core values and we believe it helps fitness and wellbeing, as well as pupils’ energy levels during lessons.
“It also embraces their competitive nature. It is not only about competing against each other, but yourself, as you try to reach a goal. It also helps teach children about resilience; to keep going even when it is tough.”
The school has plans to extend it to three days a week, and revealed its federated school Copdock Primary School aims to join them over the coming weeks.
The Daily Mile has been credited with improving children’s focus, behaviour and attainment, reducing obesity levels and helping mental health issues.
• See here to find out more about the Daily Mile.
“I think everyone should be involved,” Mrs North added. “We don’t do it daily, but we have put our own spin on it which will hopefully allow us to make it sustainable in the longer term.
“It’s easy to implement across the school. We had an assembly to launch it and put it on our website too.”
The Daily Mile was the brainchild of a Scottish primary school five years ago and has swept the country and continent.
Bentley’s Year six head pupils Shania and Max have helped to launch the scheme.
Max said: “We do PE twice a week, so it is a good addition to that.”
Shania said: “I think all schools should take it up. It improves fitness levels and gets us energetic.”
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