Fitness through fun

Fitness through fun - New opportunities funding boosts PE facilities in schools

A recent study by Ofsted reveals a longterm decline in school sport while concern grows over obesity in youngsters. In fact, less than two-thirds of children are reaching the recommended activity level of 2 hours physical education per week. Coupled with that, the message from health experts is that this target is inadequate anyway.

Although the standard of teaching is up in this area and some children are enjoying a wider range of sports than traditionally, one Council decided to supplement the provision by installing a range of equipment that would capture children's imaginations. The plan is to install 'Fantasy Funrun' Adventure Trails in 38 schools and 'Wildcats Premier' Multi-Sport Goal Modules in a further 19. 21 schools receiving playground markings have also been consulted. Installation of the facilities began in June.

It could be that traditionalists find the sound of 'Fantasy' and 'Wildcats' a little off-the-wall, but these brandnames of products designed by Wicksteed Leisure of Kettering, Northamptonshire, reflect the attraction and appeal of products designed to stimulate and challenge children of all abilities.

In addition to the structured activity these play and sports systems facilitate, experts also agree that spontaneous sport and play are crucial to children's development. Fun activity adds to more formal physical education to augment the time children spend exercising each week.

School children across Sefton are to embark on this adventure trail of sporting opportunities thanks to a massive funding boost. Sefton Council has secured more than £650,000 for the creation of Sports Zones, adventure trails and playground markings at 78 primary schools.

The money comes from the Big Lottery Fund (formerly the New Opportunities Fund) PE and Sport programme and has been managed by Sefton Leisure Services in partnership with the Local Education Authority and the Council's Technical Services & Regeneration departments. Project manager, Paul Shackley said, "The innovative way in which Sefton have approached the development of this programme has delivered tangible benefits related to the school sport agenda as a whole and sets the benchmark for future cross departmental partnerships."

Overall, Sefton is hoping to attract £3.3 million from the NOF programme and the primary school projects are the first to be confirmed. All of the schools which are to receive improvements have been closely involved in the development of the projects. And that is one of the areas in which Wicksteed Leisure's flexibility in matching end-user demands has proved beneficial.

Wicksteed play and sport equipment was also chosen for its robustness, its vandal-resistant construction and its durability. Many councils and headteachers state that quality of manufacture goes a long way to reducing longer term maintenance budgets to a minimum.

Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Lord Ronnie Fearn, said, "It's wonderful that Leisure Services have been able to work so closely with other departments in the Council to bring in the funding for these projects." A spokesperson for Wicksteed Leisure added, "We are delighted that Wicksteed's partnership approach in the planning stages and our ability to fulfil this ambitious programme of supply and installation will benefit so many children."

Cllr Fearn continued, "We currently carry out a lot of work to ensure that children and young people are able to take part in sport and physical activity, both at school and in leisure areas. The creation of these new facilities will make it easier to keep young people enthused about this type of activity."

Enthusiasm on the part of youngsters is important, if play and sport facilities are to be exploited to the full. That's why Wicksteed invest substantial resources in designing recreational systems that children love to use.

Cllr Peter Dowd, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said, "This is another significant investment in Sefton's schools. Physical Education is a very important part of the curriculum and we are constantly striving to provide the best facilities for children to excel in every area. I'm sure the new facilities will prove very popular as a fun way to learn and stay healthy."

Fantasy Funrun Adventure Trail

Wildcats Premier Multi-sport Goal module