By Thomas Cox, Editor of Healthy Telford
The school turned out in the autumn sunshine to see the Mayor of Telford & Wrekin, Councillor Stephen Reynolds, officially open the new Daily Mile track before pupils had their chance to run a full lap of the track.
A £4,000 grant from Telford & Wrekin Council’s Let’s Get Telford Active Fund helped to make the track possible.
Pupils at the school and the local automotive company T.J. Vickers also helped raise funds to have the track built.
Pupils already take part in 15 minutes of activity each day around the edges of the school, but without a track some of pupils with mobility issues were unable to take part.
What people thought of the track at Wrockwardine Wood Junior School
Julie Henry, Headteacher at Wrockwardine Wood Church of England Junior School, said:
“The new track will make regular exercise more inclusive and accessible to our pupils.
“Since we have encouraged 15 minutes of activity each day we’ve noticed pupils relax and concentrate more in class as the exercise help frustrations and tensions to disappear – we’ve also noticed our obesity rates drop and fitness levels rise.
“The health and wellbeing of our pupils is important to us, at tuck time wholemeal toast is available, our kitchens provide low fat schools meals, and we provide mindfulness sessions in our after school clubs – mental health is as important as physical health, we aim to look after head and body.”
Julie Henry, Headteacher at Wrockwardine Wood Church of England Junior School
Councillor Andy Burford, Cabinet Member for health and social care. said:
“This is now the second track that has been funded by Let’s Get Telford Active.
“Exercise is much more fun and easier when you’re with other people, and have the right support – building tracks like these allows school pupils to exercise and support each other together.
“Bringing down obesity levels in young people is important, working with local schools and helping to fund tracks like these is part of our solution to the issue.”
Councillor Andy Burford, Cabinet Member for health and social care
Local automotive company T.J. Vickers also provided £500 to help fund the all-weather track. Matthew Cole, Director at T.J. Vickers, said:
“We thought it was a great initiative that would make a real difference to pupil’s health, we wanted to help out a little bit.
“The school is on our patch and we think it’s important to support the local community that we have been in for 60 years, especially as a number of our employees have children who attend the school.”
Matthew Cole, Director at T.J. Vickers