Reigniting The Daily Mile at Pencoed Primary
Pencoed Primary School in Wales has been taking part in The Daily Mile for over ten years, with just a short break during the pandemic and while settling into a new school building. Since then, they’ve brought The Daily Mile back to life with fresh energy and a new routine.
A Flexible Approach Across the School
Children from Year 3 to Year 6, including those in the Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) base, do The Daily Mile on the school’s playground and astroturf. The MLD base uses it first thing in the morning to start the day. While it took time to get into the habit, it’s now become part of the daily routine.
Year 3 and 4 pupils take part just before lunch. Teachers found that this time of day worked well, as children were beginning to lose focus after a busy morning. Since starting The Daily Mile at that point in the day, behaviour has noticeably improved.
Breaking Down Barriers
Helping staff understand that The Daily Mile is simply 15 minutes of walking, jogging or running at your own pace has made a big difference. It doesn’t have to be a timed mile, and there’s no pressure to race or compete. This made it feel more achievable and inclusive for both pupils and teachers.
The benefits have been clear to see. Children come back into class calmer and more focused. Pupils with ADHD are now able to concentrate for longer without needing additional movement breaks. Staff have noticed that fitness has improved across the school. Many children who used to alternate between walking and running can now jog steadily for 10 minutes without stopping.
One pupil in the MLD base explained that it helps him release energy and feel ready to learn. Another pupil, who has limited mobility and communication, now joins in each day and always asks for “one more” lap. In Year 3, one child enjoyed it so much that he went on to complete a parkrun with his dad, finishing in just over 20 minutes.
Supporting Mental Health and Community Links
The school has also used The Daily Mile to bring families and the wider community together. During half term, they ran a ‘Run Your Age’ challenge, where families were encouraged to run, walk, scoot, swim or ride their age and collect sponsorship. It raised £6,000 and got families active who might not usually join in.
They’ve also linked their Daily Mile to the Mini London Marathon, particularly when a member of staff has taken part in the real event. Last year, the whole school raised money for a local mental health charity that offers free therapy to pupils, parents and staff. Everyone took part in a special run wearing spotty T-shirts from the charity, finishing under a celebratory arch on the school grounds.
The Power of Walk and Talk
The school has introduced a ‘walk and talk’ policy, encouraging children to speak to an adult while walking if something is on their mind. This works for staff too. Taking time to clear worries early in the day helps everyone return to class ready to focus on learning.