St John’s Primary opens new gym to get active

Date published: 23 November 2019

Staff and pupils at St John’s RC Primary School in Rochdale are on a fitness quest thanks to their new gym facility.

The mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, opened the new facility which is packed with top equipment from treadmills, exercise bikes, cross trainers - as well as a dedicated workout zone where pupils follow exercise DVDs on screen.

The gym is the brainchild of Chris Hickman, PE teacher at the school, who has worked hard on designing and developing the new facility.

He said: “We’re really passionate about sport and this new gym adds to our fantastic sporting offer for pupils. It’s great to see pupils using the new facility and really enjoying the workouts. When exercise becomes fun and enjoyable it will have a lasting impact on their health and wellbeing.”

St John’s offer pupils a wide range of sports to be involved in, from football and cricket to Kabaddi and Boccia and their passion for sport has led to success as last year the school won the Your School Games Platinum Award for all the physical activity work they do.

Current physical activity guidelines for children aged five to 18-years-old are at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day – this should range from moderate activity, such as playground activities, to vigorous activity, such as running.

Schools have a responsibility to provide 30 of children’s 60 active minutes each day and this new gym provides an excellent indoor space for physical activity.

Pupils will be using the new gym as part of PE lessons and the school has recruited ‘Gym Leaders’ across the year groups who can support and teach other pupils how to use the equipment and demonstrate exercise technique.

The work is all part of the schools commitment to sport and healthy activity, helping to reduce childhood obesity and support pupils in growing up fit and healthy. 

The school is not only committed to the health and wellbeing of its pupils but also to staff, who can access the gym, before school, at lunchtime or after school.

Head teacher Michael Unsworth said: “Physical and mental health of our staff is a key priority for us and exercise plays a key part in this. We’re delighted to be able to offer this facility to our staff too and competition amongst staff is growing which is great.”