Source: The Telegraph

Date: 30-November-2017

As any parent can attest, the battle to prise children away from the glow of their screens seems endless. Nursery-age children now spend eight hours a week online, according to a new Ofcom report, with 65 per cent of three-to-four-year-olds using tablets – up 10 per cent from last year.

Over a quarter of 10-year-olds are active on Facebook and Twitter. It is statistics like these that have prompted a return to analogue education, with outdoor play chief among the ways the digital fightback is beginning; just a few weeks ago, an Ispwich academy announced it would be sending its pupils out in the rain at playtime – inappropriate footwear notwithstanding.

It seems there is a growing realisation that a return to a simpler way of doing things may be no bad thing when it comes to our little ones. The Daily Mile is one such initiative, encouraging the rise of ‘outdoor schools’.

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Source: The National

Date: 27-November-2017

The number of Scots taking part in sporting activities has not improved over the past 10 years, despite hopes of a Commonwealth Games legacy. Holyrood’s Health and Sport Committee warned it found no evidence that last year’s £500 million of public funding has increased the number of people becoming active.

The committee today revealed the conclusions of phase two of its Sport for Everyone report, offering recommendations on how to remove barriers to Scots taking part in sporting and physical activities.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is doing many things to encourage people in Scotland to be more active – regardless of age, gender, or economic circumstance.”

“We have ambitions of making Scotland the world’s first “Daily Mile” nation – encouraging everyone to walk at least one mile per day.”

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Source: Telegraph & Argus

Date: 25-November-2017

Increasing numbers of schools in Bradford are signing up for a fitness initiative to get more children exercising on a daily basis; called The Daily Mile.

Yesterday, Elaine Wyllie, who founded the scheme, spoke at the Active Bradford conference held at the University of Bradford. She said that despite the simplicity of the scheme, it had halved childhood obesity in some schools, and even led to improved SATs results when pupils ran their mile before exams.

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Source: The Telegraph

Date: 24-November-2017

Physical education should be taught every day at school because exercise boosts brain size and improves academic performance, a study has shown for the first time.

Researchers from the University of Granada found that youngsters who took part in exercise at least three times a week had more grey matter in areas of the brain linked to reading and verbal communication.

Professor Francisco Ortega of the university’s Sport and Health Institute made comment on their recent findings and methodology.

Lead author Dr Irene Esteban-Cornejo stated, “We appeal both to politicians, who make educational laws that are increasingly more focused on instrumental subjects, and to teachers, who are the final link in the chain and teach Physical Education day after day.”

“School is the only entity that gathers every children in a mandatory way for a period of at least 10 years, and as such, it’s the ideal context for applying such recommendations.”

The research was published in the journal Neuroimage.

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GreaterSport, the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, Greater Manchester Headteachers’ Alliance and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham are all urging schools to get active and adopt The Daily Mile.

The UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommend that all children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day. At least 30 minutes should be delivered in school every day with the remaining 30 minutes supported by parents and carers outside of school time. The Daily Mile is a profoundly simple, but effective initiative that gets children walking, jogging or running for 15 minutes each day and therefore is a great way to contribute towards this recommendation.

GreaterSport have produced the above promotional film to encourage more schools to implement The Daily Mile as we strongly believe that it can greatly improve the mental, emotional, social and physical well-being of children and young people.

#EveryChildEveryDay #FitForLearningFitForLife

For more information, visit GreaterSport’s website.

St Andrew’s Catholic College

Fact File

• Where we’re based: Cairns in Queensland, Australia
• A description of our school: A large, urban school on the outskirts of Cairns
• School roll: 1,680 students from Prep to Year 12 students
• Children in school doing The Daily Mile: Year 3
• Where we run: On our school field (oval) unless wet, then we run on our front path, down past the bus stop and do laps of the basketball court
• Month/Year we started The Daily Mile: October 2016

Martin Ainsworth, Year 3 teacher, talked us through St Andrew’s Catholic College’s experience of The Daily Mile.

Did you face any barriers when implementing The Daily Mile? If yes, how did you overcome them?

We have a hot climate, so we needed the students to change their shirts in the first and last terms of the year. In the middle of the year it’s winter here, so it’s not too hot.

Also, some teachers within our school were reluctant to lose curriculum time, but we have managed to convince most to simply give it a go.

Since starting The Daily Mile, what differences in the school have you observed?

Students are fitter and some are really self-motivated to improve their lap total/s.

What has been the impact on the children’s learning, concentration and focus?

We now have a more productive work environment. The children seem more alert after doing their Daily Mile in the mornings.

What has been the impact on the children’s behaviour, mood and relationships?

The children get to chat to one another, and to quote one student “I can talk to my teacher about randoms stuff I wouldn’t normally get a chance to talk about”. The children appear happy and more healthy.

Do you have any individual success stories of pupils or staff members you would like to share with us?

From the results of a survey I got my students to complete, the vast majority say they enjoy doing it and feel fitter as a result of doing The Daily Mile. My teaching colleagues have also enjoyed the increase in their own fitness and have personal motivation to do some more running themselves.

Do you have any tips for other schools looking to get started?

Get into it! Just get out there, give it a go and if you’re worried about curriculum time being lost, justify it with the fact that… the time ‘spent’ doing The Daily Mile will be given back in work quality and improved focus of students.

What have the parents’ reactions to The Daily Mile been?

Extremely positive. Many have mentioned they think it’s a great idea.

Any other comments?

Charlotte, Year 3 student – “I love running The Daily Mile because you get to talk to your friends and it’s just amazing how fit you get from running The Daily Mile.”

James, Year 3 student – “I really enjoy The Daily Mile because it gets us outside, a break from the classroom for 15 minutes everyday. I like the chance to jog, chat with my friends and try to keep ahead of Mr Ainsworth!”

Lily, Year 3 student – “I like talking to my teacher and friends, and hearing interesting stories while we do The Daily Mile.”

Leathan, Year 3 student – “I need to do it so I get it done, and I feel good after doing 3 laps and my legs feel stronger.”

Sally, Year 3 parent – “I love The Daily Mile because it is a great way to get kids into a healthy habit of daily exercise. It’s great for their body and mind, and I would love for it to continue each year.”

Hamish, Year 3 parent – “What a fantastic way to start the day! My son has had such a great year this year and i’m sure his zealousness to come to school and his improved focus on tasks can be somewhat attributed to doing a few laps of the oval before class. He has continued to develop a genuine love of running and will be commencing extra training soon. Regular exercise is so good for physical health and mental wellbeing; such a simple, yet valuable activity for the kids to participate in.”

Nicky, Year 3 parent – “It’s important for the students to spend as much time as possible in the fresh air, being active. I think this helps their concentration and learning for the rest of the day, in addition to improving their physical health. The structure of The Daily Mile programme means this happens regularly and helps the class set and achieve specific goals.”

Sharelle, Year 3 parent – “I think it’s a fantastic idea… there needs to be some form of daily physical activity at school!”

Talia, Year 3 parent – “My son often talks about The daily Mile, just last week he was proud to tell me that he jogged non-stop at a fast pace for the entire 3 laps of the oval. I think it’s great for them to be so active on a daily basis!”

Melissa, Year 3 parent – “My son, who is not a sportsman or runner, has not only enjoyed the programme but benefited greatly from it. Sports days, carnivals and cross countries were always met with great anxiety but this year he met the challenges with confidence. He was so surprised at his improved results, as well. We live in the beautiful tropics and to start each morning with an outdoor activity, done as a group, not only gives the children clarity but also positivity for the rest of the day. With routine, I think children easily accept this and hopefully understand the importance of it for the rest of their lives. It takes a great teacher as well, to understand the benefits and implement this into their daily school routine. I only wish every class and grade did it.”

Visit St Andrew’s Catholic College’s website for more information

Twitter: @standrewscairns

Facebook: St Andrew’s Catholic College

Source: Teacher

Date: 14-November-2017

“There’s no workload at all for teachers, there’s no assessment, moderation, there’s no planning, nothing. The children simply go out. In fact, on head teacher said the class teacher simply opens the classroom door and takes the children out, and thereafter of course motivates and works with the children, but there is no workload or preparation for staff.”

The Daily Mile’s founder, Elaine Wyllie, speaks with The Research Files about The Daily Mile initiative.

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Source: Lincolnshire Live

Date: 07-November-2017

Lincolnshire’s unsung sporting heroes have been honoured and celebrated at a the Lincolnshire Sports Awards 2017.

Among the evening’s winners, the “Active Primary School of the Year” – sponsored by One Network – category was taken by Potterhanworth Primary. The school delivers a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities, including establishing The Daily Mile for all parents, children and staff.

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Source: East Anglian Daily Times

Date: 04-November-2017

The Department for Education announced that its PE and Sport Premium fund would be doubled from £160 million to £320m. For Suffolk, that funding has soared from the £2.3m schools received last year to £4.6m for the 2017/18 academic year, which began in September.

In addition, local schools have also adopted the free Daily Mile initiative as an aid to tackle childhood obesity as latest figures from the NHS revealed that childhood obesity was on the rise in the county, with nearly one in 10 reception-age youngsters reaching dangerously fat levels.

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Cumbernauld Primary School

Fact File

• Where we’re based: Cumbernauld, Scotland
• A description of our school: Cumbernauld Primary is a non-denominational and co-educational establishment, teaching children from five to twelve years old. We happily share our campus with our partners in education at St Andrew’s Primary School and Nursery. We have our own separate teaching areas of the school and joint use of social areas, such as; the playground, library, dining hall and gym hall. The schools work in partnership and join together for various activities and events throughout the year.
• School roll: 386 pupils
• Children in school doing The Daily Mile: Majority of classes from P1-7
• Where we run: In our playground or around our school pitches
• Month/Year we started The Daily Mile: August 2016

Stephanie Ralston and Hannah Lowdon, Acting Principal Teachers, talked us through Cumbernauld Primary School’s experience of The Daily Mile.

Did you face any barriers when implementing The Daily Mile? If yes, how did you overcome them?

Initially, we had some difficulties in fitting The Daily Mile into an already very busy schedule in classes. We overcame this by explaining the impact that The Daily Mile can have on concentration, and advising that it really didn’t take a lot of time. Adding it onto the end of a playtime/lunchtime ensured less time taken, in terms of transition.

Since starting The Daily Mile, what differences in the school have you observed?

The Daily Mile has allowed more opportunity for learning exercises outdoors and provided the children the opportunity to walk/run alongside children from all different ages/stages.

When completed in the afternoon, the differences have been observed in energy and concentration levels for the better.

What has been the impact on the children’s learning, concentration and focus?

As above, differences in learning and concentration – particularly when completed in the afternoon block.

What has been the impact on the children’s behaviour, mood and relationships?

Good opportunities when completing The Daily Mile to form positive relationships with other children from other classes who are completing theirs at the same time.

The mood of majority of children is an improvement when they come back to class to settle and complete activities.

There has been a positive impact on the majority of behaviour after students partake in their Daily Mile.

Do you have any tips for other schools looking to get started?

Don’t see it as ‘another new thing’, just give it a go!

What have the parents’ reactions to The Daily Mile been?

Majority of parents have been very happy with The Daily Mile being implemented into our school, as it provides their children with more exercise and is having a positive effect on their concentration and mood overall.

Any other comments?

Not a specific comment from children but overall when discussing The Daily Mile with staff, children in the class are very keen to take part and are always looking forward to finding out which part of the day they be doing it in.

Miss L Connelly (P2 Class Teacher), “I’ve found The Daily Mile to be a great way to settle my class, particularly in the afternoon as it really helps their concentration.”

Visit Cumbernauld Primary School’s website for more information.