Key facts
Area: West Midlands
Grant recipient: Queen’s C of E Junior School, Nuneaton
Project: Dance for Health
Programme: Awards for All
Date of award: November 2011
Amount awarded: £9,570
A primary school is thriving from the benefits of a year-long programme to encourage healthy living.
Queen’s C of E Junior School were awarded £9,570 of Awards for All funding for their ‘Dance for Health’ project, after identifying a worrying number of inactive pupils amongst one year group.
Julie Richter, Learning Mentor at the school explains the rationale of the programme:
“We chose dance because it doesn’t rely on language skills, as the music became the voice. We are a school that has many different languages spoken, so it was important that the children were able to follow the instructor’s direction or could simply move to the beat.
Through BIG’s funding, we were able to equip a dance studio - making a room that was barely used one of the busiest rooms at the school!”
In addition to the dance sessions, the school worked closely with Nuneaton Town Community Foundation to deliver a 6 week vitality programme. This involved the children planting, growing, tasting fresh food and receiving healthy eating advice to complement their exercise. The funding also allowed the school to increase the size of their allotment and purchase child-friendly gardening equipment. The pupils worked alongside staff to produce a very hearty harvest! Following the harvest, the children had a go at cooking home-grown produce – from seed to soup. This was intended to widen their choices and willingness to try unfamiliar fruit and vegetables.
Throughout the Dance for Health activities, some children volunteered for leadership skills and training. Nuneaton Town Foundation delivered support, teaching and coaching to pupils in varied sport activities including bowling, table tennis, multi sports and archery. These activities have continued and are now run by ‘Sports Leaders’ at lunchtime.
Some of these ‘Sports Leaders’ pupils shared their thoughts on the programme and the impact it’s had:
“After taking part in Sports Leaders and trying other activities I am much more active both in school and out of school.” Rabab (aged, 10)
“The playground seems happier because more children are engaged in activity and everyone is welcome to take part.” Aribah (aged, 10)
“We have created a more active environment and I am pleased to be part of it.” Lesley (aged, 10)
The success of the allotment has sparked the idea of introducing a community garden, to share produce with parents and locals, this is planned to start this year.