After a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign, pupils now have new outdoor equipment to keep them active.

Powerstock Primary School has officially opened its ‘proud to be active’ garden which features and all-weather Daily Mile track - an initiative that which encourages children to run or jog at their own pace for 15 minutes each day - a trim trail of equipment for children to test their core strength, flexibility, balance and stamina, a key stage one active learning garden and a storytelling and role-playing garden.

Running coach Joe Allen visited he school to officially open the garden and take an inspirational assembly on running technique.

The school secured funding from Public Health Dorset as part of its ‘whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing through physical activity’ programme. This funding was topped up by a crowdfunding campaign where local people and businesses donated money towards the initiative, and this was further increased with funding from Dorset Council.

Headteacher Louise Greenham said: “In recent years we have adopted a ‘proud to be active’ ethos as a school, recognising the benefits it brings to pupil focus as well as health and wellbeing.

“We were one of the first schools in the country to adopt the ‘Daily Mile’ initiative in addition to our ‘Wake and Shake’ activity and have recently broadened our outdoor and active learning further through our comprehensive forest school.

“We are absolutely thrilled to make the most of our outdoor space and the installation of the all-weather Daily Mile track and trim trial will ensure our children have daily opportunities to be ‘proud to be active’ here at school.

“We cannot thank the local community enough for their support and it has been wonderful to have Joe Allen here to officially open the garden for us and share his inspirational running techniques with the children. Thank you to everyone who supported us.”