07 Jan 2019
Daily Mile could be introduced in all primary schools in England following £1.5m grant
BY Tom Walker
All primary schools in England could be offered the opportunity to get involved in the Daily Mile fitness programme, after the initiative secured a £1.5m Sport England grant.
The Daily Mile concept gets kids active by enabling classes to head outside and jog or run around the school grounds every day – rain or shine – at whatever pace suits the child best.
Despite its name, the distance does not have to be adhered to – although children tend to average running a mile in the given time – with the scheme being more about fostering a sense of inclusivity and enjoyment of physical activity.
Taking just 15 minutes "desk-to-desk", children engaging with the activity are reported to exhibit improved concentration in class, eat and sleep better at home and develop stronger bonds with their classmates and teachers.
The Sport England funding will allow the recruitment of national and local coordinators to support and encourage more schools in England to sign up – with a vision of helping all 20,000 primary schools in the country to take part in an active mile a day.
Founded by former headteacher Elaine Wyllie in 2012, The programme currently helps more than 3,500 English schools reach their daily activity target.
“Since starting The Daily Mile six years ago, the progress we have made has been incredible,” Wyllie said.
“With Sport England’s generous investment of National Lottery funding, The Daily Mile Foundation can continue to move closer towards our goal of every child in the UK being able to participate in The Daily Mile.”
Wyllie was given an MBE for services to the fitness of children in the recent New Year Honours List.
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