Northamptonshire school sports coaches launch at-home PE classes

Your children might recognise some of the friendly faces at Pacesetter Sports and Wellbeing.

Usually, their 34 full time members of staff would be out and about teaching in 120 nurseries, primary and secondary schools taking P.E classes, after-school clubs, PSHE and other programmes.

But since Boris Johnson announced a three-week UK lockdown, the company is no longer able to work with 12,000 children every week.

Thinking outside the box, director Nick Schanschieff has created seven virtual lessons to do at home, which are being led by wellbeing and sports coaches on Youtube.Those classes include wellbeing at 10am, warm up at 11am, dance at 11.05am, strength and conditioning at 1pm, gymnastics at 2pm, multi-skills at 3pm and yoga at 4pm.

"It's really important for the children's mental health," Nick said. "These children are going to be stuck indoors, their parents are going to be trying to do some work and trying to engage with their children throughout the day and these sessions will help.

"I know the children will miss their coaches - they get connected to them and they miss their routine.

“A lot of children love their sport and they maybe living in a flat or a house where they can't go outside.

"The feedback we are having is it is going down really well - we've had some really nice comments generally."

One wellbeing session has so far included children learning how to make 'sunny specs' which is about promoting positive thoughts while wearing the glasses.

While an example of a multi-skill lesson has taught the children how to use other equipment around the house to use for exercising and imaginative play.

To tune into a wellbeing or fitness session each day, from Monday to Friday, click here.