A SUFFOLK headteacher is encouraging his pupils to beat the potato couch culture by exercising during their playtime.Alan Shoote, headteacher at the large Combs Ford Primary School in Stowmarket, is making sure his pupils exercise – and eat more fruit.
A SUFFOLK headteacher is encouraging his pupils to beat the potato couch culture by exercising during their playtime.
Alan Shoote, headteacher at the large Combs Ford Primary School in Stowmarket, is making sure his pupils exercise – and eat more fruit.
He is keen to see a generation grow up who enjoy a fitter and healthier exercise than many do at the moment.
The school has introduced a play scheme whereby a team of midday leaders organise a variety of games at lunchtime using the school's all-weather games area, the playground and the field.
Games vary from five-a-side football to skittles and traditional playground games at the school which has 527 pupils aged from five to nine-years-old.
Combs Ford is taking part in a national physical education and school sport investigation in to the difference that physical education and school sport can make to children.
The school is also taking part in the Government's "School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme'', where every school child aged between four and six will receive a free piece of fruit each day.
Mr Shoote said: "The improved opportunities for exercise at lunchtime and before school certainly finds favour with the children and helps them settle to their lessons more quickly.
"It ties in with the school's emphasis on healthy eating and promoting children's good health.
"All these initiatives will hopefully produce a generation of children who eat well and exercise for pleasure both in school and at home enjoying a healthier and fitter lifestyle than many at present.
"We try to look at the whole child. If a child is healthy, they are happy.''
Should schools try to promote a healthier lifestyle? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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