As primary schools go back at the start of the new academic year, it’s a key time, with some children settling in to school life and others returning to a different class.
For those schools lucky enough to have an outdoor gym, it’s the perfect time to take stock and consider how you will ensure it is used safely and effectively this new school year.
30th July 2024
Here are our top tips for September:
Often a new school year sees a reshuffle of staff, and this is the perfect time to ensure all staff members and lunchtime support understand how to use the outdoor gym safely.
We have a raft of information available to support teachers. Fresh Air Fitness gyms are safe and very straight forward to use, so a quick refresher is really all that is needed for returning staff. Those who are new to the outdoor gym could spend time watching our online videos and reading the safety information and instructions we provide.
Pupils who haven’t been on the equipment before should be shown each product individually. The Animations are perfect for this. Product by product, these short animations will show the children how to use the equipment safely and what benefits they provide the body.
A fantastic idea used by some of our schools is to introduce a ‘license’ system which rewards and incentivises good behaviour on the equipment. Once training is complete children receive their license, but if they misuse it, or unsafe on it, the license is revoked. Conversely, those who work hard on the machines and do so safely could be rewarded with house points or similar.
Using the outdoor gym during PE lessons makes perfect sense, and we have a series of lesson plans, circuit classes and fitness trackers to support teachers. Don’t forget, it can also be used to warm up the body prior to other sports, or as a cool down, to stretch out tired muscles.
In addition to PE, there are many ways to ensure the children have good access to the outdoor gym throughout the school day. Access before school and during breaktimes keeps them active and also supports their attention span and focus in the classroom. As the new academic year gets underway, establish a rota system so that different year groups get to use the gym on different days and at different times, e.g. lunchtimes or other breaks.
Some of our schools have even set up an afterschool club and use our circuit classes to run fitness classes for the children.
School outdoor gym equipment is for the most part very low-maintenance. But, as the long summer holiday draws to an end, it’s a good time to check all the machinery is in good working order ahead of the new term. You should have an official annual inspection of the equipment and the summer break could be the ideal time to do this. But certainly, before the first day back, wipe down equipment to remove any dirt or dust.
We also have a dedicated service desk and fully stocked UK based warehouse in case you need any spares or have servicing requirements. Simply call us Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm 01483 608860 or email service@freshairfitness.co.uk.
For the last decade or so, the government has provided funds for schools to enhance the quality of their PE and sport provision. This money, paid in two installments each year, comes jointly from the Departments for Education, Health and Culture, Media and Sport, and primary school headteachers receive it. It’s ring-fenced, meaning it can only be spent on school sport and PE and enhancing this provision.
If you’re wondering how to spend your PE and sport premium funding as the new academic year gets underway, and feel you already have plenty of footballs and hula hoops, you might consider installing an outdoor gym.
Take a closer look at the primary school gym equipment we offer at Fresh Air Fitness. After all, we’re the leading, award-winning UK specialists in outdoor gym equipment designed especially for kids. We’ll be with you from funding and design to delivery, construction and beyond.
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