Published on:
30
January 2003
Park Primary School children are 'PHIZing' with activity as a result of a unique new project based at the Park Community Learning Campus.
And after just one year the Physical Improvement Zone (PHIZ) has had a real impact on getting everyone more physically active - more often.
PHIZ was launched last January as a project to improve the general health of youngsters within the Park Community Learning Campus using a wide range of physical activities. The target groups for the project are pre-school children, primary aged children and their families, hence the need to work with Tower Nursery, Park Primary School and the Alloa Family Centre.
At last night's Learning and Leisure Committee (29 January), members heard of the project's astounding success. In its first year of operation the numbers of participants in Park Primary's after school clubs have risen considerably. Now 53% of the total pupil roll enjoy the benefits of being physically active. The attendance at school sports events has more than tripled, with some participants producing very good results.
The World Health Organisation (1998) were already aware of the dangers to health and the increased incidence of obesity in young children of an inactive lifestyle and recommend children should be involved in intense physical activity at least one hour per day.
The PHIZ project provides opportunities between 8.45 p.m. and 4.15 p.m. for children to get the recommended hourly active quota each day.
The National Physical Activity Co-ordinator, Mary Allison, presently seconded to the Scottish Executive was able to visit PHIZ and commended Lynne Glen, staff and coaches on driving the aims and objectives of the project particularly linking aspects of the project to the health agenda, social inclusion and links to local clubs.
She said:"It is inspiring to see a school having such a commitment to giving pupils opportunities to keep active. The activity programme was very impressive which makes a limited budget and limited facilities go a very long way. The use of the activity diaries was fascinating and I enjoyed working with the pupils to enter their information into such a colourful website. As the pupils themselves know - this is about more that just their physical health, it is about feeling good about themselves and feeling good about being in school. I would like to use this programme as an example for others." The project is funded by Park Community Learning Campus, sportscotland and Forth Valley Health Board.
Councillor Alison Lindsay, Convener of the Learning and Leisure Committee said: "I'm sure we will see many more positive benefits and achievements before the project comes to a close in 18 months.
"A particular feature of PHIZ is the built in procedures for monitoring and evaluating its impact. Nationally there is very little hard evidence to support the benefits of being physically active apart from improvements in fitness and health. With guidance from various sources it is hoped that children's confidence, self esteem, behaviour, skill level and aptitudes for learning will effect attainment and achievement in the curriculum."
Anne Pearson, Headteacher at Park Primary said: "All staff have to be congratulated for the enthusiasm with which they have endorsed the whole programme and continue to assist various elements of the project for the benefit of our children."
Residents in the Park Community Learning Campus catchment area can find out more by calling Lynne Glen on 01259 724064.
PHIZ is not a replacement for the standard PE lesson, this continues to be delivered by the classroom teacher. A large amount of staff training has taken place to raise the profile of sport and give staff more confidence in delivering sessions.