The daily mile

A profoundly simple but effective initiative, which any school can implement completely free of charge without the need for staff training. Its impact can be transformational – improving not only the children’s fitness, but also their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing.

Further information

The Daily Mile welcomes new research into initiative's success!

Just months after the Universities of Stirling, Edinburgh and Highlands & Islands proved The Daily Mile improves children’s fitness, new research by the same team has found the key to the initiative’s success lies in its core principles and ease of implementation.

The findings of both research studies are featured in a new ‘How to / Why to’ guide. This guide provides clear evidence that the initiative can be easily and successfully implemented in schools.

• Why and how you should introduce it to your school (pdf file, 2.75mb)

The Daily Mile has received a lot of press coverage recently. It is a concept which encourages children to walk, jog or run outside in the fresh air for 15 minutes every day. Its main aim is to improve the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of children – regardless of their age, ability or personal circumstances.

It is a simple initiative to implement and increases physical activity and tackles obesity amongst our children.

Research has shown that The Daily Mile can even increase attainment in primary school, and parents have reported an increased interest in health and wellbeing from their children after they have started The Daily Mile.

Simple steps for your school

Its success is down to its simplicity:

• It takes place over just 15 minutes, with children averaging a mile each day.
• Children run outside in the fresh air – and the weather is a benefit, not a barrier.
• There’s no set up, tidy up, or equipment required.
• No training is needed for teachers.
• Children run in their uniforms so no kit or changing time is needed.
• It’s social, non-competitive and fun.
• The children return to class ready to learn.
• It helps to improve fitness and healthy weight.
• It encourages children to be aware of their health.
• It’s fully inclusive; every child, whatever their circumstances, age or ability, succeeds at The Daily Mile.

An introduction to The Daily Mile from it's founder

38 Leicester City schools signed up so far!

We currently have 38 schools in Leicester signed up to the Daily Mile. We would like more to join this movement!

• View a map of our participating schools

It is a profoundly simple but effective initiative, which any school can implement completely free of charge without the need for staff training. Its impact can be transformational – improving not only the children’s fitness, but also their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing.

It is a concept which encourages children regardless of age or circumstances to walk, jog or run outside in the fresh air for 15 minutes every day. It takes place in the school grounds, at a time that suits each class, in any weather, supervised by the class teacher (no special training is required). The children run in their ordinary school clothes, no special kit is needed, and no time is wasted in getting changed.

It is a daily physical activity with the sole aim of improving children’s health and wellbeing.

With time the children can own their Daily Mile and incorporate additional physical activities or mini competitions to maintain the momentum of this great initiative

PE and sport primary funding indicators

The Daily Mile fits in perfectly with the 5 PE and sport primary funding indicators and participating schools should expect to see improvements in

• The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity – helping towards the Chief Medical Officer recommendation of engaging children and young people in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, of which 30 minutes should be in school.
• Raising the profile of PE and sport across the school for a whole-school improvement
• Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
• A broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to pupils
• Increased participation in sport & physical activity.

Further information

Further information and free resources can be found on The Daily Mile website.

Get your school involved

If you would like to get your school involved in this free initiative please contact:

Daxa Ralhan
Programme Officer - Public Health
Email: daxa.ralhan@leicester.gov.uk
Telephone: 0116 454 4376

It’s social, non-competitive and fun - sign your school up for The Daily Mile today!