A three-year pilot scheme running in primary schools in Leeds byconservation group BTCV has children growing vegetables, learning aboutthe natural world and playing games with gardening themes like 'sproutball' and 'compost bin'.
The BTCV originally devised 'Green Gyms' to provide physical activityand health benefits for adults through environmental conservation. Nowthe Department of Health has funded BTCV to develop models for tacklingobesity in children in pilot areas Rochdale, Havant and Leeds.
Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Leeds is holding Green Gyms inprimary schools for groups of ten children. Inclusion project officerAmy Wright said, 'It builds children's confidence and self-esteem aswell. Teachers choose the children they think will benefit the most andchildren who really want to do it. We run training with the teachingstaff for a year and they take it on and run it.'
Helen Charlton, Green Gym co-ordinator and special needs assistant,said, 'We have some children who don't like sports or PE. With the GreenGym they are doing exercise but they don't realise it.'
Children in the reception year take part in a 'mini Green Gym' atlunchtime and from Year 1, children attend Green Gym sessions afterschool.
Ms Charlton said that some of the pupils who have now left the schoolenjoyed it so much that they come back to take part in the after-schoolsessions of Green Gym.
