The Obesity Strategy – A Plan for Action

“Every primary school child should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. At least 30 minutes should be delivered in school every day through active break times, PE, extra-curricular clubs, active lessons, or other sport and physical activity events, with the remaining 30 minutes supported by parents and carers outside of school time”

Here at Marston Green Infant Academy we are excited to share some our wonderful opportunities to be active. 

Click here to view our Physical Education Policy

The aim of The Daily Mile is to improve the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances.

The Daily Mile is a social physical activity, with children running or jogging – at their own pace – in the fresh air with friends. Children can occasionally walk to catch their breath, if necessary, but should aim to run or jog for the full 15 minutes.

We want every child to have the opportunity to do The Daily Mile at primary school, and are now working to build The Daily Mile’s community with schools, local councils, sports bodies and other supporters in the UK and beyond.

The Daily Mile Works!

   It takes place in 15 minutes, with most children averaging a mile, or more, each day.

   Children run outside in the fresh air – and the weather is a benefit, not a barrier.

   There’s no set up, tidy up, or equipment required.

    No staff training is needed and there is no extra workload for teachers.

    Children run in their uniforms so no kit or changing time is needed.

    It’s social, non-competitive and fun.

    The children return to class ready to learn.

    It helps to improve fitness and achieve a healthy weight.

    It encourages children to be aware of their health.

    It’s fully inclusive; every child, whatever their circumstances, age or ability, succeeds at The Daily Mile.

YogaBugs classes bring stories to life through specially developed moves inspired by yoga. Combining fun with exercise, children go on wild adventures where they may roar like a lion, fly like a bird or blast into outer space!

Fully Inclusive

All children can do YogaBugs to their own ability. Children don't need to be fast, have good hand to eye co-ordination or be physically fit.

Increase Confidence

Children are encouraged to be vocal during a class and express their emotions physically. Through creative visualisation techniques we help children believe they are unique and special. 

Improve Concentration

Balancing postures help children to focus their mind and concentration techniques keep the mind in one place instead of letting it wander.

Fun!

There is a big emphasis on children having fun in a YogaBugs class, we take children on wild adventures and encourage them to use their creative imagination.

DanceBugs’ dance classes for kids encourage children to express themselves positively, gaining confidence and social skills through music and movement. DanceBugs classes have been designed age appropriately with a big emphasis on creativity and fun!

DanceBugs offers a variety of different styles of dance classes from Ballet and Tap to Freestyle and Street! DanceBugs is a great form of exercise for children and a great social skill that stays with you for life; it is an important part of a child’s development.

In Early Years and Key Stage 1 children will learn basic skills such as jumping and skipping and simple movement patterns. Through dance classes, children begin to understand that the possibilities of movement are endless and fun to explore. Dance is a key part of a child’s development – physically it is challenging, using a range of different muscles and improves posture, balance agility and coordination. Emotionally it helps children grow in confidence in a non competitive sport. Children learn to take turns, cooperate, share, gain spatial awareness and interact with each other in a positive way. DanceBugs also helps with cognitive development as children start to understand that movement can be used as a response to an idea or problem.Class plans are designed age appropriately to challenge children and teach them creative movement, locomotive movement and self expression through music.

DanceBugs Dance after school club

We are excited to be continuing the Dance after-school club on Mondays straight from school 3.30-4.30pm. The Dance club focus' on gaining confidence, learning new skills, enhanced learning experience, and developing gross motor skills. The dance lessons cover all different genres of dance such as Freestyle, street, hip hop, cheerleading and many more. Within the lessons the children will gain flexibility, balance and improve their overall fitness. They will also be able to use their own creativity and have the chance to incorporate their own ideas into the lessons. The children will also work towards performances throughout the year to gain experiences in local events and our annual show which takes place every year.  

5 a Day is collection of 5-minute fun fitness routines with an array of different themes, from Pirates to Superheros, and Pop to Bollywood. These videos are aimed at getting pupils up, active and ready for learning. Resources can be used at any time during the school day to increase physical activity levels, such as first thing in the morning as a wake up activity, as an energy or brain break, to re-motivate after break or lunchtime, or as part of a warm up during a PE lesson.The routines are differentiated through complexity and speed which is indicated by our star rating system.

Time-2-Chill

Time‑2‑Chill is a collection of 2‑minute routines concentrating on relaxation, imagination, co‑ordination and mindfulness. Ideal for refocusing a class after break or lunchtime, or even midway through a lesson.

Benefits of 5 a Day:
-5-minute fun fitness breaks
-Increases whole school physical activity levels
-Relaxation resources included​​​​​​​
-Cross-curricular language learning​​​​​​​
-No need to change into PE kit​​​​​​​
-Ideal for classroom use​​​​​​
-High energy low impact​​​​​​​
-Improves coordination​​​​​​​
-Prepares children for learning​​​​​​​
-Aids concentration​​​​​​​
-Refocuses children after break or lunchtime​​​​​​​
-Practises listening skills​​​​​​​
-Helps improve musicality

Home Access-
  Home Access allows pupils and parents/carers to use 5-a-day Fitness resources at home, helping to keep children active and healthy after school, at weekends, and over the holidays. There’s no preparation required, simply log in, select a video routine, join in, have fun, get fit and learn at home!

Lesson and homework plans to inspire, motivate and engage children in active learning. 

Proven benefits for children:

• Raises attitudes to maths
• Raises attainment in maths
• Increase levels of physical activity
• Inspires and motivates
• Improves confidence, self-esteem and behaviour
• Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle