Proud Partners of The Daily Mile
Children fit for life
The Daily Mile is physical, emotional, social and emotional health and well-being
BASRaT is working in partnership with The Daily Mile Foundation. The Daily Mile was set up to help children get fit by running or walking for 15 minutes a day in school or nursery.
The Daily Mile
The aim of the Daily Mile is to improve the physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age or personal circumstances.
It is a profoundly simple but effective concept, which any primary school can implement. Its impact can be revolutionary - improving children’s fitness as well as their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing.
The Daily Mile is successful because it is simple and free:- It takes place over just 15 minutes, with children averaging a mile 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.
- Children run in their uniforms so no kit or changing time is needed.
- It’s social, non-competitive and fun.
- It’s fully inclusive; every child, whatever their circumstances, age or ability, succeeds at The Daily Mile.
The history of The Daily Mile
Elaine Wyllie, former Headmistress of St Ninian's Primary School in Stirling started The Daily Mile when she realised that the pupils at her school were unfit. Elaine started going outside with her classes to run around the school field for just 15 minutes a day, to increase their fitness and concentration. On measuring the circumference of the school path, five laps was was one mile. Thus The Daily Mile was born!
There are now over 1000 schools in the UK that have implemented The Daily Mile.
The benefits of The Daily Mile
The Daily Mile has numerous benefits to children, whether they run, jog or walk:
- Within 4 weeks, children who do The Daily Mile become fit.
- The 15 minute break from lessons is invigorating and leaves children (and teachers!) more focused and ready to learn.
- The time spent outside, in all weathers, helps children become better engaged with the outdoors and aware of their surroundings.
- The Daily Mile is non-competitive, fully inclusive, and the children have fun!
- The Daily Mile is also a social occasion, and improves relationships, giving children the opportunity to talk to their peers and teachers in a way they might not in the classroom.
- The Daily Mile builds teamwork and leadership skills, with children helping and encouraging their peers.
- Children bring the benefits home, eating and sleeping better and encouraging their families to get active together.
- The Daily Mile builds self-esteem and confidence, improving children’s perception of exercise for life.
The Daily Mile is critical to reducing childhood inactivity and obesity. Children are getting fatter, younger, and we need to stop this in its tracks. Early scientific studies show that the level of obesity at St Ninian’s School (the first school to introduce The Daily Mile) is around 45% less than the national average.
Find out more here (http://thedailymile.co.uk)