Parents backing bid for schools to introduce the daily mile to keep pupils active and alert
Pupils at The Willows Primary School in Ipswich. - Credit: Archant
Parents and readers online have voiced their support for the Ipswich Star’s campaign to get every primary school pupil in the town walking or running a mile a day.
We’re calling for each school to sign up to the Daily Mile initiative to improve the health and fitness of youngsters.
Originally started at a school in Scotland, it involves pupils at primary schools walking, jogging or running a mile every day, which will improve pupils’ fitness and wellbeing, as well as provide added benefits in concentration and focus in the classroom.
And already feedback online has been positive.
Laura Holland, commenting on Facebook, said: “In some schools they are told a daily task to think about whilst they’re outside exercising. It improves concentration once they’re back in class. Fantastic idea.”
Christopher Jacobs, also via Facebook, added: “Yes! I used to run a joyful mile to school every day from the age of five.”
You may also want to watch:
Other readers added that they hoped the campaign would encourage children, where possible, to walk to school with their parents and urged schools to make sure they continue to implement it.
Some schools in Ipswich already take part in the mile, but after figures revealed that almost one in three Year 6 pupils are obese or overweight, we’re calling on every Ipswich primary school to sign up.
Most Read
- 1 Saturday drinkers queue for post-lockdown pints
- 2 The Botanist looking for staff ahead of rumoured Ipswich opening
- 3 Suffolk-born Royal Ballet choreographer Liam Scarlett dies
- 4 'A bridge too far' - Crane Sports boss Radnor speaks out as club pull out of League
- 5 Bargain hunters queue through town for Debenhams sale
- 6 'Amazing response' as pictures of post box toppers reach America
- 7 Stunning home worth nearly £1m nears completion at Felixstowe Ferry
- 8 The 20 places in Suffolk that recorded the most coronavirus cases this week
- 9 Shopper eschew Suffolk's smaller towns to hit Primark
- 10 Cook discusses Chambers' future after captain dropped at Charlton
The Daily Mile must be outdoors, but not on muddy fields, and performed at least three times a week. For more details and resources for headteachers, visit http://thedailymile.co.uk
Is your school doing the Daily Mile? Or are you planning to sign up to it? Let the Ipswich Star know so we can give you some coverage. Contact us via email or call Matt on 01473 324730.