Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Massive response to physical activity programme
The 30:30 Wristband Challenge was launched last October to help boost physical activity among the city’s primary school pupils. It has been so successful that the project has now been expanded to include secondary school pupils.
The challenge was designed following Government recommendations that primary schools should provide 30 minutes of physical activity for each child every day towards a daily target of 60 minutes.
Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education established a bronze, silver and gold wristband challenge to encourage primary pupils to meet those targets.
Paul Ogilvie, Senior Consultant in Physical Education at Leeds Beckett, said: “The response from children and their schools has been phenomenal.
“More than 3,000 pupils have already earned their bronze certificates, and are now working towards the next stage.
“There are widely-reported issues with obesity and related health problems, so it’s great to see so many primary schools taking part in our 30:30 Wristband Challenge.
“In fact, the challenge has been so successful, we have had enquiries from secondary schools in Manchester, Chorley and Cambridge asking if they can take part.
“We have recently launched the secondary school version of the wristband challenge and, due to popular demand, are now actively inviting adults in schools to take part too.”
Physical activity includes all forms of activity that increase the heart rate, such as brisk walking, active play, cycling and sports.
As well as increasing physical activity levels during the week, the scheme aims to get pupils to change their habits and improve their fitness and wellbeing.
Youngsters who achieve the minimum 30 minutes a day for a half term are awarded a bronze wristband. An additional full term will be rewarded with a silver wristband and pupils who commit to the challenge for the full school year will win a gold wristband.
To take part, pupils complete a simple data collection sheet with their parents to keep track of their physical activity levels and help build an insight into what motivates pupils to change their activity habits.
If you are a pupil, parent or member of staff from a school, further details are available here.