Latest News

School invites footballer to run a mile

Published: 05/06/2017

Ysgol Estyn had a visit recently from former Everton footballer, Graeme Sharp. He visited the school to support the launch of The Daily Mile in Flintshire, a childrens health and wellbeing initiative that increases physical activity in primary and nursery schools by encouraging pupils to walk, jog or run for 15 minutes every day, whatever the weather. The Daily Mile helps to improve childrens physical, mental, social and emotional health and wellbeing, and teachers they are more focussed when they return to class. The Daily Mile is being launched in Flintshire by Sports Development, funded by Sport Wales, following the national launch of the initiative across Wales in March 2017 by The Daily Mile Foundation, the Welsh Government, and Public Health Wales. Ysgol Estyn is one of the schools in Flintshire to take up the challenge and the pupils welcomed Graeme to launch the programme at their school. Speaking on the day, Graeme said: “It’s great to be here today to see all the young people so keen to get active. We all need to encourage children to be healthy and exercise and this is a really fun way to do it.” Head teacher of Ysgol Estyn, Gareth Jones, explained how the programme is benefitting the pupils: “This is really popular initiative for both the teachers and the pupils. When they get back in class, the children are invigorated and refreshed, ready to start work again with increased energy levels and concentration.” The aim of The Daily Mile is to improve the physical, mental, emotional and social health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age or personal circumstances. The idea was the brainchild of Pride of Britain award-winner Elaine Wyllie, conceived whilst she was headteacher of a large complex Primary school in Stirling, Scotland. Elaine became concerned about the lack of fitness displayed by the children of St Ninians, and encouraged them to run around the school field for 15 minutes each day. Within one month, the children were averaging 5 laps of the field, which, when measured, turned out to be one mile - and so The Daily Mile was born. By the end of the school year, all 420 children were taking part, including the nursery. Since retiring in 2015, Elaine has dedicated her time to growing The Daily Mile movement. The Daily Mile Foundation was created in March 2016 with the aim of providing every child the opportunity to do a Daily Mile, and today has encouraged over 2,500 schools to join the movement. It is a profoundly simple but effective concept, which any primary school can implement. Its impact can be transformational- improving not only the childrens’ fitness, but also their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing. To find out more, visit: www.thedailymile.co.uk You can also contact the Foundation directly via email (info@thedailymile.co.uk ), Facebook (/thedailymile.uk) and Twitter (@_thedailymile). Chris Moss (Flintshire Sports Development), Graeme Sharp, Gareth Jones (head teacher) and Dan Williams (Flintshire Sports Development) with pupils from Ysgol Estyn.