Huw’s Views

PRIMARY schools across the country have been called on to adopt the Daily Mile initiative so that children can reap the benefits in wellbeing and academic achievement which have been recorded in schools participating in the scheme.

I have written to primary school head teachers in my constituency asking them to adopt this new venture which is already taking place throughout Wales.

The Daily Mile is easy to implement and fun to do, providing children who are reluctant to take part in PE the chance to enjoy and participate in the Daily Mile Cymru – a simple free programme that gets children walking, jogging or running for 15 minutes each day.

The programme is fully inclusive for children with additional support needs and can be undertaken whatever the weather. With no kit and no warm-up required, children can mix all three activities in a 15 minute turnaround from leaving the classroom to returning.

Children have the freedom to enjoy the fresh air with their friends knowing that it’s not a competition but merely a stroll, run or jog while enjoying the outdoors.

The first published scientific study on the impact of the Daily Mile, conducted in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, has shown running the Daily Mile to have a dramatic impact on SATs results against predicted grades.

Children self-reported wellbeing and academic achievement. There was an expectation that the pupils would get fitter – which they drastically did – and that they would start feeling significantly happier and better in their bodies.

However, the most impressive finding was that grades went up remarkably against expected results seeing pupils achieving up to 25% higher in reading, writing and maths.