CHILDREN at Dogmersfield Primary School are powering through a new fitness initiative called the daily mile challenge.

Since the beginning of May, all of the pupils at have been out every day – come rain or shine – to run or walk a mile. It takes about 15 minutes. Yet even in such a short time, the staff say they can see the benefits of the activity. 

The challenge aims to ‘improve the physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age or personal circumstances’. It was founded by Elaine Wyllie in 2012 when she was headteacher of a school in Scotland.

Within six months of starting the activity, none of her Year 1 children deemed overweight by the school nurse. The experiment improved attention levels and behaviour in class. Parents told her they could tell their children were fitter, more active and more alert.

Last week the Year 6 children at Dogmersfield measured out the mile in maths after working out how many times around the school field it would be.

It sounds like there may be a future in marathon running for some of them. A number of children are recording their times, and going for a personal best each week.

The school said: “We hope the benefits of the activity will be an increase in fitness, enjoying the fresh air and outdoors, and the ability to concentrate more when back in class.” 

One of the children in Year 6 said: "It is a great time to exercise and take a break from lessons. Yesterday I did five laps round the field in 15 minutes and today I am aiming for six.”

Headteacher Dot Patton added: “Fresh air and exercise are good for us all. I think you always feel so much better when you have done some exercise.”