Jubilee L.E.A.D. Academy has undergone a remarkable transformation in attitudes towards physical activity, thanks to a dynamic partnership with Sustrans East Midlands. Through innovative initiatives and unwavering dedication, the school has embraced a culture of active living, fostering healthier lifestyles among its pupils and beyond.
Neil, a PE teacher at Jubilee L.E.A.D. Academy, shares the school's transformative journey towards promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles. Credit: J Bewley
The Jubilee L.E.A.D Academy’s journey with Sustrans
Neil is a PE teacher at the Jubilee L.E.A.D Academy, a primary school based in Bilborough, Nottingham.
The relationship the school has built with the Sustrans East Midlands team over the last three years has been pivotal to transforming children’s attitudes to physical activity – a change that has had a real impact on pupils of all ages and the wider school. Neil explains:
“When I joined the school five years ago I knew I wanted the children here to develop a real love for physical activity.
“This meant I needed to have an impact outside of regular PE lessons and sports clubs, and Sustrans have helped to make that happen.
“We started doing little bits and bobs with Sustrans around road safety and Bikeability.
“At first, I had no idea about the sheer variety of things Sustrans could help us with to get kids more active and confident, before, during and after school.
“They kept coming to us with exciting ideas for what we could do to enhance children’s lives and health. It ticked a lot of boxes for us.
“We’ve said yes to everything!
“The school is based in a deprived area with high unemployment.
“Our children don’t always have opportunities to go swimming at the local leisure centre or to sports clubs outside of school, especially given the current cost of living.
“So I was keen to work with Sustrans to give our children as many different experiences as possible.”
JNeil highlights the positive impact of physical activity on student focus and readiness to learn. Credit: J Bewley
Changing attitudes and encouraging healthier lifestyles
“When I think about the impact we’ve had, what really stands out is the massive improvement in the children’s attitudes to physical activity and wellbeing.
“At first, we really had to encourage them and now they actively choose to walk, cycle or scoot to school. They really want to do it.
“Some initiatives were a slow burn but with our whole staff team helping to promote them we’ve made all of them a real success.
“And because the children have embraced it, that’s really helped to get their parents on board.
“We hear stories about children demanding that their Mum parks further away from school, or getting up earlier so they can walk in, because they know it’s better for them.
“They want to get their reward for taking part. It’s great to see them with their badges all over their blazers.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of bikes and scooters outside of school every day.
“It’s lovely to see and it’s really improved our children’s lifestyles.
“What’s brilliant is that we’re seeing them increasing their physical activity levels throughout their whole day, not just while they’re at school.
Fewer cars mean safer school gates
“Another positive impact is that now not so many parents are driving in, it’s safer for everyone - children and adults - outside our school gates.
“We used to have real problems with traffic clogging up the roads outside the school. It was really dangerous.
“Now the children feel safer and local residents are happier that there are less cars around before and after school.
The introduction of school streets fosters a safer environment and encourages walking, cycling and scooting to school. Credit: J Bewley
The confidence to try new things
“I firmly believe there’s a sport for every child and what we’ve done with Sustrans encourages children to take part in other physical activities, giving them the confidence to try new things.
“If you don’t like football or basketball, now you can try something different.
“Sustrans helped us to get a grant so we could buy a pool of bikes for the school so we can offer biking and scooting after school clubs ourselves.
“We run Learn to Scoot clubs for the little ones, Learn to Bike sessions for the older ones and Bikeability for the children who are more confident and want to get out on the road.
“These clubs are always full.
“They bounce into school, ready to learn”
“The feedback I hear from my colleagues is that the children being more active makes them more ready to learn first thing in the morning.
“Before they’d be driven in and used to arrive in the classroom tired and lethargic.
“Now the children bounce into school, they’re far more focused and ready to learn at 8.30am and that has a massive impact on the whole school.
“The change in behaviour has been amazing.”
“Literally everything we’ve done with Sustrans has been positive”
Neil also credits the relationship built with Sustrans with other school successes.
“Sustrans were pivotal in helping us to secure the Modeshift Silver award last year.
“We’re the first primary school in Nottingham to achieve that and it was fab to get that recognition, it was the culmination of two years of hard work.
“They’ve helped us to put our school on the map.
“To any other schools thinking of working with Sustrans, I’d say you’ve got nothing to lose.
“It’s a no brainer, they can help you to get children more physically active, more focused and more ready for their day, and the children love it.
“Look into the initiatives they do and get involved in as many as you can. Every single one has had a positive impact.
“Literally everything we’ve done with Sustrans has been positive.
Creating legacy in schools through behaviour change
Nottingham City Council has installed a school street at Jubilee L.E.A.D. Academy under its School Streets Scheme. Through the Nottingham Schools project, which aimed to introduce behaviour change in schools with school streets, Sustrans supported the school from April 2021 to November 2022. As a result, Jubilee has hosted Dr Bike sessions, Learn to Ride and Scoot sessions, bike maintenance classes for pupils and road safety assemblies, as well as joining in with annual competitions like the Big Walk and Wheel.
