By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
SECONDARY school pupils in Edinburgh are set to be given regular fitness tests in a bid to drive up standards of health and tackle obesity.
Youngsters will be tested every few months under the scheme, with parents given "report cards" on the fitness of their children.
A pilot initiative was launched at Trinity Academy yesterday, where all S1 pupils were put through their paces, and city leaders plan to roll the tests out across the city if they prove successful.
After testing their fitness, pupils will be given the chance to improve their health through additional sport and after-school clubs.
They will be tested again next February to see how their fitness levels have improved.
PE teachers and Edinburgh Gunners rugby stars, who were invited to inspire the youngsters, watched as 180 Trinity pupils took part in tests of speed, endurance, strength and agility.
They had to complete 12-minute runs, had their agility tested during shuttle runs and sat in a machine that measured how far they could reach in different directions.
They were also timed on how long they could hold a "plank" position - lying flat and holding themselves up on their tiptoes and elbows.
More tests are to be carried out measuring the youngsters' overall health, including their diets, and their lung capacity, with the hope that regular lung tests will discourage children from taking up smoking in future years.
At Trinity, parents were sent letters saying children could opt out if they wanted, but none did.
HEALTH PUSH: Trinity teacher Roddy Deans puts Jessica Cook through her paces as she is timed by Chloe Ramsay. Picture: DAN PHILLIPS
Peter Galloway, rector of Trinity Academy, in Craighall Avenue, said: "The kids were so enthusiastic and took part with such vigour - it was wonderful to see.
"We are quite a healthy school, we run sports like rugby, hockey and football, but very few state schools offer as much and I think they should do.
"I would like to see this model copied across Scotland."
Figures show 22 per cent of P1 pupils in Scotland are overweight, rising to 34 per cent of P7 pupils, with one-fifth classed as obese.
City education leader Cllr Marilyne MacLaren said she was keen to roll out the fitness tests.
She said: "It's great that Trinity has come up with this idea and I will look at how it develops. If Trinity can show this is a way for young people to get fitter, that is something I would be happy to publicise as good practice."
Roddy Deans, who, along with fellow probationary PE teacher Nicola Collins, set up the initiative at Trinity, said it was key that the children enjoy the activities on offer.
"We're going to have lots of variations," he said. "We're looking to improve all types of fitness, so we will try to set up a running club and play games. If it's just fitness, they won't enjoy it. We will retest them in February and hopefully see an improvement.
"They will get report cards to take home - parents should be made aware of their children's fitness."
The initiative has been supported by the EIS, Scotland's largest teaching union.
Colin Mackay, Edinburgh secretary of the EIS, said: "I absolutely welcome this, I think it's terrific. Health problems among youngsters have been well known for a long time, but people have been remarkably reluctant to address this."
Trinity is now preparing a health push aimed at improving the youngsters' all-round condition before they are tested again.
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