Healthy pupils aim to run a mile a day

Pupils from five primary schools in Burnley will be putting their best feet forward and bidding to run a daily mile to improve their health.
Team GB Athlete Leah Barrow (front) joins Pupils from St John's Church of England Primary School in Cliviger, and Pupils from Holy Trinity CE Primary School, at the launch
the Run a Mile Pilot Scheme. (s)Team GB Athlete Leah Barrow (front) joins Pupils from St John's Church of England Primary School in Cliviger, and Pupils from Holy Trinity CE Primary School, at the launch
the Run a Mile Pilot Scheme. (s)
Team GB Athlete Leah Barrow (front) joins Pupils from St John's Church of England Primary School in Cliviger, and Pupils from Holy Trinity CE Primary School, at the launch the Run a Mile Pilot Scheme. (s)

Burnley School Sport Partnership, supported by the Lancashire Sport Partnership, has launched the Run a Mile Pilot Scheme which is the first of its kind in the area after it was developed by a Scottish school, St Ninian’s.

Holy Trinity, St John’s Cliviger, Casterton, Wellfield and St James Lanehead all hope their pupils will don their trainers once a day and take part in a mile run or walk to help improve their well-being, which has a knock-on effect of contributing to their learning, attention and behaviour.

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The event was launched at St John’s Cliviger with Great Britain middle-distance athlete Leah Barrow holding a warm-up session alongside St John’s head teacher Naomi Healey and PE governor Trevor Shanley before the eager pupils tried out their first mile.

Mrs Healey said: “This is a great opportunity to be involved in something which will improve the children’s health, stamina and concentration in the classroom.”

School governor Mr Shanley said: “This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for the school and our children.

“All the parents I have spoke to are on board and support it.”

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The one-mile sessions at the primary schools will start after next week’s half-term holiday.

“Initially the children are aiming to run a mile at least three times a week but it is hoped that once they start seeing the benefits they will increase it to every day,” said Helen Tyson, Schools Games Organiser for Burnley School Sport Partnership.

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