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BBC and the Premier League get primary school children active with the launch of Super Movers campaign
The BBC and the Premier League have today launched Super Movers, an exciting partnership which will help primary school teachers to inspire children to become more active throughout their school day and enhance their learning.
Super Movers will bring stars from the worlds of football, music and television together in fun, free and easy-to-follow educational videos which will capture children’s imaginations and help teachers to get them moving throughout the day with a series of routines and activities.
Super Movers content is designed to encourage pupils to be active so they are ready to learn. Physical activity can positively impact educational outcomes with improvements in pupils’ concentration, motivation and enjoyment of learning.
Dr Lauren Sherar, Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Public Health at Loughborough University, who is an academic advisor for Super Movers said: "There is growing evidence supporting beneficial effects of active learning on education-related outcomes. Super Movers is a fantastic programme to help teachers create a fun and active classroom.”
The campaign is also backed by a new online survey commissioned for the BBC and Premier League, and carried out by Populus, which found that over half of parents of children aged 5-10 agree that their children are better behaved (54%) and in a better mood (60%) after taking part in exercise* and complements the Government’s guidelines** that every child has 60 minutes of physical activity daily – 30 minutes during school and 30 minutes out of school.
Teachers can take advantage of the content on the Super Movers website at www.bbc.co.uk/supermovers. There will be an abundance of ‘Brain Booster’ videos and simple solutions to help children learn while they move - all linked to the UK curricula and easy to use in the classroom, with no extra equipment required.
Super Movers will also help encourage families to live active lifestyles and can be used at home with a range of ‘Just For Fun’ videos and games designed to get children and grown-ups moving together in their living rooms.
Premier League and professional football clubs will support Super Movers through their work in local schools, helping teachers use the Super Movers videos in classrooms and encouraging an active ethos. Super Movers schools will also have the chance to win awards from the Premier League and clubs, such as a visit from the Premier League trophy.
Schools in Scotland will also benefit from the Super Movers action, as the Scottish Professional Football League are also joining the campaign.
James Purnell, BBC Director of Radio and Education, says: "We are really excited about the opportunity to work with the Premier League to do something truly transformative - using the strengths of both organisations - by developing a nation of active primary schools to help every child reach their potential."
Richard Scudamore, Executive Chairman of the Premier League, says: “We recognise the power football has to connect with young people and positively influence their lives. Super Movers will harness the reach and strength of our Clubs and the BBC to encourage children to be more active and engaged throughout their learning.”
BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan, current Arsenal captain Alex Scott MBE and Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya are official Super Movers ambassadors.
On Thursday (18 January) Alex Scott will join CBBC favourites Ben Shires and Naomi Wilkinson to front a BBC Live Lesson hosted by Liverpool FC at Anfield stadium. The Live Lesson will be a fun, active maths session for seven to nine-year-olds showcasing Super Movers content and energising classrooms across the UK.
Alex Scott MBE and captain of Arsenal Women Football Club said: “It didn’t surprise me at all to learn that when children are more active on a daily basis, they get more from their school day and beyond. With so many fun videos on offer, there’s no excuse not to give it a go and I’m looking forward to seeing it in action for myself at the Live Lesson!”
Gabby Logan will be live on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (16 January) when she will join teachers, parents and students at a school in London to take part in Super Movers activities.
Gabby Logan said: “As a mum to two sporty children, I’m excited to be involved with Super Movers as I see first-hand how important it is for children to be as active as possible to get the most out of their day, both mentally and physically, so Super Movers is a really innovative way to do just that.”
Radzi Chinyanganya said: “I am lucky enough to get to take part in regular physical challenges and activities for Blue Peter, so I can vouch for how enjoyable it is and how much of a boost it gives you! That’s why I’m on board with Super Movers as it’s a brilliant yet simple way to encourage children to move more throughout the school day and get them in the zone for learning.”
For more information visit www.bbc.co.uk/supermovers