PUPILS at Woodlands Primary are beginning their school days with an energetic work out. For the first 10 minutes of the day pupils gather on the playground to follow the PE staff's aerobics session.

PUPILS at Woodlands Primary are beginning their school days with an energetic work out. For the first 10 minutes of the day pupils gather on the playground to follow the PE staff's aerobics session. The Wake and Shake workout is used to physically stimulate the pupils and improve alertness, concentration, and get them a little out of breath, as research has shown that pupils respond better academically when properly physically stimulated early in the day.

The aerobics session is led by staff at present with Year 6 pupils practicing their routines to lead later in the term. Some parents have also joined in, which has helped with the transition of pupils to their new school.

PE teacher Kerry Webb said: “We started it on the first day of the school year, and it has rapidly grown so that the vast majority of the school participate. The pupils respond really well to the music and join in well known dances, as well as a few more improvised routines to pop songs.”

Head of PE Stuart Aldous said it had helped reduce the number of late marks, and got the pupils an extra 10 minutes physical activity a day. Woodlands is striving to give each child the opportunity to participate in five hours of sport a week, in and around the normal curriculum. The Wake and Shake workout has proved to be a popular and accessible activity for all ages of pupils at the school.