Girls get active at Helenswood School

Called Go, the project aims to change attitudes towards exercise, increase levels of activity and encourage youngsters to remain active throughout their lives.

The free six-week programme launched at the all-girls school on Wednesday (June 6) with street dance, cheerleading, martial arts and yoga.

A nutritionist also talked to students about healthy eating, and reinforced the benefits of a good diet combined with an active lifestyle.

Cassie Brand, the school sports co-ordinator at Helenswood School, said: "Helenswood's involvement in this new pilot programme is a tremendous demonstration of our commitment to helping students develop and sustain a healthier lifestyle.

"We want to show that exercise can be fun and encourage our students to make physical activity an essential part of their lives."

The sports centre at Helenswood is run by the not-for-profit trust Freedom Leisure.

Centre manager Toby Reed said: "We are delighted to be working with Helenswood and Active Hastings on this new initiative.

"Group exercise is a great way to be inspired and we aim to introduce the girls to a range of fun activities which they will hopefully wish to incorporate into their lives."

British Heart Foundation research has revealed 64 per cent of 15-year-old girls are classed as 'inactive'.

Furthermore, teenage girls are unhealthier than ever before, topping league tables for obesity, smoking and binge drinking.

The Go programme contributes to the Government's target of increasing the number of children who receive two hours of high quality physical activity per week by 2008.