A Gateshead primary school is opening early every Thursday as part of an initiative to help pupils' mental health with a "boogie" before the school day begins.
School leaders at Parkhead Community Primary in Winlaton think the school's "Boogie Bounce" programme - funded by a £9,000 grant from North East charity Rise - is a key tool in helping youngsters recover from the impact of two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With children's mental health known to have taken a hit - and t he first lockdown in particular having had an impact on their fitness - the "Boogie Bounce" scheme has proved a way of building self-esteem for upwards of 150 of the pupils at Parkhead since October 2021.
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"Boogie Bouncing" involves exercising to music with the help of mini-trampolines.
The school's business manager Catherine Bulman said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the challenges we face in relation to the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils.
"We know music supports mental health and wellbeing, so by incorporating music with fitness in the form of exercising on trampolines, we can encourage school age children to enjoy physical activity in a fun, supportive and motivating way."
Head teacher Paula Bailey added: “The sessions are proving hugely popular. We’ve had a fantastic response for our breakfast and after school club classes. Importantly, it’s a fully inclusive activity and a big hit with our neuro-diverse and SEND [Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities] children too.
"Without the funding from Rise and their belief in what we have set out to achieve, Boogie Bounce would not be possible."
Michelle Thompson is a coach who helps run the sessions and she said parents had already given feedback about the benefits they had seen in their kids.
"The children are so enthusiastic and parents have said they’ve seen a positive impact on confidence and attitudes to learning," she said. "Exercise increases endorphins and builds self-esteem. We hope that Boogie Bounce will inspire our young people to develop a passion for physical activity, which will allow them to take responsibility for their health and fitness into adulthood."
Rise's Claire Lee said: "This funding is specifically designed to target children and young people hit hardest by Covid-19 in terms of their physical activity levels. We are delighted to see the success of Boogie Bounce at Parkhead Community Primary School."
Backing the "inspiring" initiative, she said Rise would be continuing to support the school to open sessions to parents and the community more widely in future.
Rise has made 36 similar grants - with the money coming from a £10.1m Department for Education pot announced last May - all in aid of helping schools across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear to boost activities outside of the school day to help young people bounce back from the pandemic.
