Check out our 2021/2022 Activity Influencers from Primary Schools across England who are inspiring children to move and get active every day
2021/2022 INFLUENCERS
Name: Clare Hoods-Truman
School: Oasis Academy Blakenhale Infants & Oasis Blakenhale Junior School
Area: Yardley
Role: Executive Principal
“If you feel good about yourself, then you are more likely to have a positive mind.”
As a child I'd had a really positive experience with physical activity and I wanted the same for my daughter, so I became fitter and healthier. I also wanted to be that positive role model for her as she was growing up. I’ve brought it into how my two schools run, keeping that really positive approach to staying healthy yourself influences the kids.
Physical Activity is character building. It's developing those traits things like perseverance, confidence-building, happiness, building relationships. I think that physical activity is such an integral route into every aspect of life. I think the way that we've used PA in our school is as an influence in terms of making children that are going to be resilient enough to be able to cope with life, you know, when they've left here and when they go on later on in life.
Name: Owen Lamprey
School: Clifton Primary School
Area: Hall Green
Role: Lead Practitioner Health and Well Being
“I care about children's physical and emotional health and wellbeing very much you can see the link between kids being physically and emotionally happy.”
20 years ago, when I began working in the sector I was inspired to be active by my daughter. The real thing that keeps me passionate now is my goals to try and make sure that our children at Clifton are active once they leave here
I think we're far too static in our learning often in schools, particularly in primary schools where children are still very young. So, I try to put out as many opportunities as possible for them to learn through physical activity and not just for physical activities sake, but also for those children that find that as a better vehicle for learning.
Name: Sumayyah Maayuf
School: Scott Wilkie Primary School
Borough: Newham
Role: Sports Coach
“I implemented Marathon Kids in the 2017/18 academic year with 199 children across years 3 - 6. I inspired 100% of these children to reach the half marathon and 87% reaching the full 1st marathon. So far this academic year I have inspired 94% of my 275 kids to continue on the programme.”
I’ve always been physically active – I lived on an estate when I was younger where there was a closed off playground, so all of my time was spent outside playing sport. My mum funded my sports lifestyle; if I wanted to play football, she’d buy me a football. So with all of the equipment I went outside and played every sport you can think of, all of my childhood I’ve always been active. Then I got into football.
I’ve got three older brothers who went so I went along with them at the age of four. So I’ve been involved in sport or structured activities all of my life.
Name: Samuel Asokar
School: Gainsborough Primary School
Borough: Newham
Role: Sports Coach
“I ensure all of my PE lessons are differentiated to allow all children to participate including autistic children and children with disabilities.”
I encourage children with their learning by providing physical breaks to children who find concentrating when learning challenging.
Also he is communicating well with teachers and adults ensuring they know what skills are required and what to do to improve in fitness.
What inspired him: In my secondary school time my teachers encouraged me, I didn’t have much family support coming from a Asian background but I had great teachers.
One teacher Mr weaver, I am still in contact with him today, he got me past a lot of barriers. It is so encouraging when you have a role model teacher because of him I had a good experience in PE that why I try to be a positive role model to children today.