This boot was made for walking (to school)

SPANISH striker David Villa may have scooped the Golden Boot award for most goals at Euro 2008 — but the competition he faced is nothing compared with Werneth Junior School.

The school has its own version of the trophy — a size-13 trainer sprayed gold and mounted on a plinth.

The golden boot is awarded in assembly each week to the class with the most pupils walking to school.

As well as boosting exercise, it aims to cut the number of cars on busy Coppice Street outside the school.

Classes can also win extra break time for their efforts.

Teacher Nicola Baron, healthy schools co-ordinator, explained: “We wanted to increase the number of pupils walking to school because it is healthy exercise.

“A lot of our children were dropped-off by car and where we are is a bottle neck.

“It is quite a dangerous junction.”

Werneth is among the places which scooped Healthy Schools status this year after meeting the criteria is four areas — personal, social and health (including sex, relationship and drug education); healthy eating; physical activity; and emotional health and well-being.

Schools must achieve a raft of standards such as listening to pupils’ views, having a broad range of extra-curricular activities and a clear policy on bullying.

Benefits include healthier pupils, better results, improved relationships between parents and school and a reduced likelihood of using drugs.

On the ground, this means lots of imaginative projects and the number of Werneth’s 260 pupils regularly walking to school has increased from 81 to 90 per cent.

Nicola’s husband supplied the trainer — the largest they could find — and she added: “The pupils are really chuffed when they win.

“It goes down really well.”




New pupils get warm welcome



STARTING a new school can be scary but it’s even more daunting if you have moved here from another country.



That’s why pupils at Breeze Hill School have a crucial role in a programme which is making it easier for new classmates to settle in.

Around 30 children are trained as new student supporters, paired up with new arrivals in their year to show them around, introduce them to staff, make sure they know how the canteen works and generally be on hand to help.

This year, 30 youngsters have arrived at Breeze Hill from countries such as Pakistan, Congo, Brazil, Iraq and Iran as well as Europe.

Some previously attended small, rural schools and have had to contend with a bustling building while learning the language.

Sally Hyman, who teaches English as an additional language, said: “For some of them, just getting to school at a certain time with the right equipment is a challenge. It is a huge culture shock.”

Sally gathers as much information as possible about new pupils. They then receive the support which best suits them.

“I am not saying everything is hunky-dory, but it’s improving a lot. Generally speaking, the new arrivals have all settled in here and they know where to go for help if they need it.