07 October 2019
School children are benefitting from an exercise initiative that aims to improve their fitness, wellbeing and concentration.
The Daily Mile encourages pupils to run or jog, at their own pace, for 15 minutes each day. Schools across the island are running their own versions of the Daily Mile to promote healthy and active lifestyles.
Last year Grainville School won the Active Schools award for their Daily Mile programme and other sporting activities. This year 180 Year 7 students at Grainville take part in the Weekly Mile – a run or jog during form time once a week. Additionally, between 60 and 70 students across Years 7 to 11 attend a morning running club. Students have also worked towards and completed challenges such as Park Runs, the Headway 3K Fun Run, the Super League Triathlon races and also the Jersey Marathon 3K Fun Run.
Grainville School teacher Stacy Walden said: “The Weekly Mile and morning running club enable students to get out of the classroom to run or jog, at their own pace, with their classmates, making them fitter, healthier, and more able to concentrate in the classroom.
“It has been proven that when students complete physical activity, first thing in the morning, their concentration levels, positivity, attitude to learning and other important factors improve. This helps to work alongside both school and island initiatives to create an active island and community.”
gov.je