Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami joined Year 3 and 4 pupils at Pirton School for a special Action Mats PE session on Thursday.
Set up by Shefford-based Action Mats, the PE session aims to highlight how small schools are making the most of their government Sports Premium.
Action Mats hopes to promote healthy lifestyles for all children, and wants to see it high on the agenda for all schools.
The company works with a number of schools nationwide and offers PE sessions in a box solution, so that busy teachers can easily deliver lessons that are motivational and fun for the kids while keeping fit and healthy.
Mr Afolami, who took part while wearing an extraordinary pair of technicolour shorts, said: “I am passionate about children’s health and welfare and see the government’s childhood obesity strategy as being front and centre of the drive to get kids active.
“People often ask what I enjoy about my job. This is it – getting the chance to spend the morning with smart and energetic kids doing an inclusive and fun activity, watching their faces erupt with laughter and joy.”
Action Mats offers a solution for schools ahead of the winter months with activity mats which can be used anywhere, helping not just with sports but also with learning maths and other topics through actions.
The mats themselves are lightweight, non-slip and non-trip – with bright and cheerful designs printed on complete with a stick man character to show the children how to do exercises.
Pirton School is one such school, using its Sports Premium to invest in these mats. It has seen great benefit to the children as a result.
Headteacher Sonia Fenner said: “Physical and emotional wellbeing are a huge part of our learning environment.
“We have recently had our achievements in raising the profile of sports recognised with a Sports Games Mark.
“The wider benefits of physical activity are many and we want to keep innovating and keeping the children engaged in ways which allow them to enjoy activity at all levels.
“That’s why we found Action Mats to be a great new resource, and are pleased to share this interest and enthusiasm with our local MP.”
Jonathan Bhowmick from Action Mats said: “I am delighted that we have created a product this is both wholesome and fun. It’s a winning combination.”
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