Fochriw Primary School, Wales
“We’ve seen a noticeable improvement in pupils’ mental well-being—running or walking together gives our healthy, confident individuals a chance to clear their minds”
Fochriw Primary School, Wales
At Fochriw Primary School, The Daily Mile has become a vital part of the school community, positively impacting both physical and mental well-being. Headteacher Mrs. Pascoe shared, “The Daily Mile has been transformational for our school community. We’ve seen a noticeable improvement in pupils’ mental well-being—running or walking together gives our healthy, confident individuals a chance to clear their minds and return to the classroom with renewed focus and positivity! It’s a simple, inclusive, and effective way to promote both physical and mental health. We’re delighted we also received the ‘Daily Mile Children’s Fit for Life Award’ in 2024 in recognition of our practice for the past eight years.”
Pupils at Fochriw Primary are equally enthusiastic about The Daily Mile. Ariya Lewis, a pupil at the school, explained, “I love doing The Daily Mile because it makes me happy. When we run or walk together, it’s like a little break to get fresh air and talk to friends. I think it helps me concentrate better in lessons after!”
Four Top Tips from Fochriw Primary School to Get Involved in The Daily Mile:
- Involve the Community: We engaged parents/carers by highlighting the benefits for both mental and physical health, and encouraged families to join in. This continues to be part of our strategy through a whole school annual walk from school to our local visitor park.
- Emphasise Flexibility: The Daily Mile can be done at any time of day and doesn’t require special equipment, making it adaptable to any schedule. The Daily Mile is free, easy to implement, and inclusive for all ages and abilities.
- Link to Curriculum Goals: We tied the initiative to curriculum priorities emphasising the purpose of ‘Healthy Confident Individuals’ in Wales. Well-being, regular exercise, and healthy living are our focus. For example, we used it as an opportunity to discuss the importance of avoiding obesity and maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Celebrate Achievements: We keep pupils motivated by celebrating milestones and setting fun challenges.
By registering for The Daily Mile, schools like ours at Fochriw Primary can contribute to these vital national priorities while enriching pupils’ daily lives.