Skipping school helps the heart (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Skipping school helps the heart

12:40pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in Ilminster By Richard Purdon

ILMINSTER pupils have been jumping into action with a two-day skipping event as part of National School Sports Week.

Students at Swanmead Community School were making the most of the sunny weather as they took to the MUGA to try out a series of skipping related challenges.

Teacher Mark Lees said: “Throughout today and tomorrow every pupil in the school will be taking up the skipping challenge.

“Some are based on the British Heart Foundation’s jump rope challenge and others are some we made up.”

Under the guidance of fellow teacher Maria Lamb, Mr Lees gave a demonstration of skipping techniques, including incorporating jumping jacks and leg crossing whilst skipping.

“Skipping is one activity where as soon as you get the ropes out, all the children want to do it,” he added.

Joining Swanmead skippers were representatives of sponsors Lloyds TSB, personal banker Emily Taylor from Ilminster and Somerset development manager Nicky Henderson.

Despite warm conditions, everyone enjoyed challenging each other for the title of ‘most skips’, with Mr Lees defending his title.