PUPILS at Sidbury Primary School will be skipping their way to fitness on Friday. The school is taking part in an Active Life Challenge week set up by Devon County Council to encourage more children to get fitter and healthier. Sidbury Primary pupils w

PUPILS at Sidbury Primary School will be skipping their way to fitness on Friday.

The school is taking part in an Active Life Challenge week set up by Devon County Council to encourage more children to get fitter and healthier.

Sidbury Primary pupils will be holding a Skip for Life event next Friday in which the children will skip in a relay of teams continuously for half an hour.

Nearly 30 schools from East Devon are taking part in the active week which also includes a Run for Life event on Monday.

Schools are being encouraged to make the week as active as possible and invite staff and parents to get involved as well as pupils.

Walking and cycling will also be promoted during the week.

Amy Frost, PE co-ordinator at Sidbury Primary, said: "It will build the children's enthusiasm and they will be working together as a school.

"We will also be focusing on why we are doing this and how important exercise is. It will be a whole school effort."

The week has been devised by Devon County Council's Physical Education advisory team, led by Steve Kibble.

He said: "It is now widely recognised that children are more likely to achieve their full academic potential by being involved in daily physical activity.

"Physical activity energises children and improves their ability to concentrate in class.