David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield, has urged primary schools in Macclesfield and across Cheshire to join the Daily Mile initiative, which encourages children from nursery to Year Six, and their teachers, to run or walk a mile each day.
A recent launch event for the initiative, championed by David, took place at Upton Priory School in Macclesfield on the 17th March. Four other local schools attended the launch, including: Ivy Bank, Nether Alderley, Park Royal and Prestbury, and will take inspiration from the event back to their own schools. The aim of the Daily Mile is to improve the physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances.
Steve Kendrick, Headteacher at Upton Priory School, added: “The Daily Mile is a whole school approach which means that every pupil will get an extra 15 minutes of physical activity per day - in addition to existing PE lessons and school sport programmes. This is a great way to help achieve the target of providing 30 minutes of physical activity to every pupil, every day, which will be implemented from September 2017 as part of the Childhood Obesity Strategy. Furthermore, it can be easily implemented. It is school led and can be done at a time of the teacher’s choosing. Children do not need to change and it is inclusive of all children and staff.”
Anne Boyd, Active Cheshire’s CEO, said: “It is critical that we introduce and embed 'active habits' amongst children in their formative years. We are delighted that David is championing this initiative in Macclesfield and in Parliament. This kind of support shows just how important it is to encourage and enable everybody – particularly our young people – to lead more active lives. The support of our MPs and local partners – including Macclesfield School Sport Partnership – is absolutely crucial.”
David said: “The Daily Mile is a simple but effective concept, which any primary school can implement. Its impact can be transformational - improving not only the children’s fitness, but their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing. I am a great advocate of the initiative and would like to see every primary school in the Macclesfield constituency take part. That’s why I fully support Active Cheshire’s aim to get all primary schools in Cheshire to take part.”
If you are interested in introducing the Daily Mile in your school, please contact Adam Norris from Active Cheshire on 01606 330 212 or E-mail adam.norris@activecheshire.org