Pupils take steps to healthy school

Wednesday 2nd May 2012

Pupils are taking steps to get healthy by measuring how far they walk using pedometers.

Secondary-aged students at Doncaster School For The Deaf will be joined by staff as they attempt to each walk 50 miles, the equivalent of walking to Derby.

The project is part of the Healthy Schools campaign, which encourages schools and colleges to improve the health and well-being of children and young people.

Jane Goodman, deputy headteacher of the school, said: "This is a fantastic way for us to encourage healthy behaviour amongst our pupils. Many of them live a long way away from the school and therefore can't make the healthy choice to walk to school.

"Using pedometers lets them stretch their legs and do some exercise in a fun and interesting way. Our pupils can relate to the distance from our campus to Derby, so it made sense for us to choose it as our destination."

The distance from Doncaster School For The Deaf, on Leger Way, to Derby is about 44 miles as the crow flies, or 51.5 miles by road.

It would take the average person more than 16 hours to walk 50 miles and they would burn off between 4,000 and 5,000 calories in the process.

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