Kirkshaw kids love getting fit

Focus on daily healthy activities

Pupils at Kirkshaws Primary have helped to pilot a fitness initiative aiming to increase physical activity during the school day.

The Coatbridge youngsters have been trying out the new “Fit Fifteen”, which was launched to education staff at North Lanarkshire’s recent learning festival.

It aims to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to be active for 15 minutes each day, in a variety of ways including walking, dancing, running and climbing.

Kirkshaws pupils have piloted the fitness project in a range of ways – and staff say they have seen benefits from taking part in the Fit Fifteen at the start of each day, including youngsters becoming “more engaged and motivated before lessons”.

They are among several schools across North Lanarkshire who took part in the pilot, with the physical challenges including participating in the daily mile, “wake and shake” programmes and trim trail treks.

Alexander Johnston, who is North Lanarkshire’s lead officer for PE, said: “We know that active children are more likely to become active adults.

“Linking physical activity to classroom learning makes experiences more relevant, and the benefit of increased activity means that children are more able to to access learning, which will help close the poverty-related attainment gap.”

Get active Pupils are backing the Fit Fifteen scheme