CHILDREN take part in a daily running exercise to tackle concerns around obesity and inactivity.

School pupils at Mynydd Isa, Mold, are encouraged to run, jog or walk for 15 minutes a day during school time.

Claudine Moreton, year 3/4 Leader and class teacher, said: “It is not competitive, and it is not PE, sports or cross-country but physical activity in a social setting which is aimed at improving the children’s physical, social, emotional and mental health and well-being.

“The children run in their ordinary school clothes and shoes. It can help children to focus and concentrate in the classroom and raise their attainment, and most importantly, they really enjoy it.”

The Daily Mile is an initiative started in 2012 by Elaine Wyllie, who was a then headteacher at a Scottish school and she was concerned by the children’s lack of fitness.

Since 2015, the Daily Mile has been adopted by almost 2,000 schools in the UK alone, with Mynydd Isa being one of them.

The daily exercise begin in the Mold primary school in May when they organised a trial period at the junior site.

Claudine added: “This allows the children to have a much-needed movement and brain break during the afternoon, whilst giving the class teachers the flexibility to arrange when this would happen within their session.

“As a school we are really excited about this new initiative and we are looking forward to the benefits it will bring to the children.”