Highland pupils receive health and fitness checks

Pupils throughout Highland Council’s 184 primary schools are currently receiving health and fitness checks.

The checks are being delivered bi-annually by Highland Council’s Active Schools Co-ordinator team supported by class teachers, school nurses and PE teachers in schools.

Designed to raise the awareness of young people’s level of fitness, the checks also inform children on the importance of being physically active for an hour a day.

Following the checks Active Schools Co-ordinators highlight more active walking, cycling, play and sport opportunities so that youngsters can get more involved and take part in activities in schools and communities.

Alan Clark, Highland Council’s Active Schools Manager said: “Our aim is simple but fundamental to the future health of our children – we want to see more children more active more often.”

The health and fitness checks also give teachers and children the chance to discuss diet and nutrition and opportunities for physical activity and sport that could be developed for Highland children to lead healthier more active lifestyles.

The checks are an ongoing commitment to health improvement in children leading healthier active lifestyles and are part of the Council’s soon-to-be-published physical activity and sport strategy.