The FIA has said its Adopt a School pilot schemes are running smoothly in health clubs, leisure centres and primary schools across the country.

The initiative, run by the FIA and supported by the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, aims to link health clubs and leisure centres with local primary schools in a bid to get more children more active, more often.

Pilot schemes have been run in Bristol, Barnsley, Birmingham, Sunderland, Watford, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Millbank and York.

Participating clubs and leisure centres have been working with 10- to 11-year-olds to teach them about the benefits and fun they can get from a physically active lifestyle.

LA Fitness in Brighton has teamed up with St Luke’s Primary School and is running a ‘skipping school club’ once a week before school.

Geoff Pride, who is co-ordinating the Adopt A School programme for LA Fitness, said: “This initiative has helped children and parents alike to be more aware of health and fitness issues.

“Early morning exercise helps to set people up for the day as it increases metabolism and exercises like skipping can really help to improve motor skills.

“The aim of the sessions is to make sure kids are enjoying themselves and learning something at the same time.”

The Next Generation club in York adopted St Aelred’s RC Primary School, organising a six-week group cycling programme in its children’s gym, ending with a display in the school, which parents were invited to attend.

The children have also been sitting down to a healthy breakfast at the club after the class, and then taking the ‘walking bus’ back to school.

Danny Stainton, assistant general manager of Next Generation York, said: “The children have had a fantastic time and benefited enormously from the initiative.

“It has also been an extremely positive experience for the club. Our facilities are at their quietest during the day and it made perfect sense to team up with a local primary school and provide them with the facilities and expertise they badly needed.

“It is hoped that all Next Generation clubs will adopt a school in their area when the scheme is launched nationwide.”

Other facilities involved in the pilot scheme include Leisure Connection, LivingWell, Esporta and David Lloyd Leisure. The children at these clubs and centres participated in a range of activities including trampolining, self-defence, swimming, circuit training and mini-tennis.

The Adopt A School scheme will be launched nationwide in May and all FIA member health and fitness clubs will be invited to adopt a local school in their area. Details: Fiona Bothwell: +44 (0)20 7298 6738