Welcome to the Great School Run. This programme is designed to help schools make healthy lifestyle changes by getting more active and eating healthily.

There are lots of resources on this website under the Ready, Steady, Go! tabs that will help teachers in the classroom, but you may also find these useful to use at home too. There are some great ideas on the tabs to the left to help parents continue the messages of the Great School Run campaign at home.

There are a lot of fun things parents and guardians can do to help motivate their children to get fit and healthy in preparation for their 2km fun run. Why not try:-

• Talking about the Great School Run. Children should know why they are being asked to do something. They need to understand about their health and fitness and know how to look after themselves
• Becoming their fitness role model. If you're taking part in the Great School Run too, you'll have to train for it. Children are much more likely to join in with something that their parents are doing.
• Don't just run, there are loads of fun activities that mean children are kept physically active – for example dancing, swimming, skipping…
• Get a routine going.
• Get the whole family involved – walking or running are great ways of spending more time together as a family; but remember a kick about in the park or a dance around the living room are also a great, fun way to get fit and healthy!

Get involved

Research shows that parents’ active encouragement and support in school life raises children’s achievement. Parents, older siblings and friends shouldn't underestimate their ability to influence not only children's behaviour, but also their attitudes towards school and school activities.

Your involvement in activities at your child’s school means you can:

• Interact with teachers on a less formal basis
• Meet other parents and families
• See your children interacting with friends at school
• Watch your children working with teachers in a less formal manner.
• Getting involved means that school isn’t just somewhere a child goes to learn but becomes a key part of family life. And, in case we forget to mention it, getting involved, especially in something like the Great School Run, is a great deal of fun!

Encouragement at Home

Children need to train for the 2k event. Don’t underestimate what you can do to help them to take part in physical activity on a regular basis:

• Talk about the Great School Run. Children should know why they are being asked to do something. They need to understand about their health and fitness and know how to look after themselves
• Become a role model. If you’re taking part in the Great School Run too, you’ll have to train for it. Children are much more likely to join in with something that’s already happening
• Don’t just run. Try lots of fun activities that mean children are kept physically active
• Get a routine going. It’s easier for everyone that way
• Get the whole family involved - walking, jogging or running are great ways of spending more time together as a family.