Outdoor cycling project boosts wellbeing and confidence of Newcastle students
Wingrove Primary School students took part in a cycling project this year funded through a partnership by the Community Foundation and Schools North East. The Tour of the North East project consisted of 4 challenging bike rides through the region, with pupils cycling a total of 34.87 miles.
Background to Partnership
In 2021, Schools North East partnered with the Community Foundation to make over £100,000 of funding available for schools looking to develop their cultural, sporting or careers provision for disadvantaged and looked-after children.
Funding was available for schools in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, North and South Tyneside for projects that focussed on developing dedicated cultural and sporting enrichment opportunities for students; giving disadvantaged children access to cultural spaces and events, such as visits to museums, art galleries, places of local historical significance and sporting interests; and developing high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and work placements and university visits for disadvantaged and looked after children.
The aim of the fund was to provide a broader enriched curriculum to support students in-school learning, raise levels of pride and appreciation of the region, and develop cultural capital within school settings. The development of sporting opportunities aimed to improve the general wellbeing and health of students and create strong community links with other organisations and establishments.
Tour of the North East
One of the projects funded by this partnership was Wingrove Primary’s ‘Tour of the North East’. Throughout 2022, 30 Wingrove pupils from years 4, 5 and 6 took part in the cycling project that consisted of over 4 challenging bike rides.
Pupils cycled a total of 34.87 miles along the region’s cycle network to explore beautiful surroundings and visit exciting local attractions. Throughout the bike rides, pupils paid close attention to their physical and mental wellbeing and noticed that cycling in the great outdoors improved both. As well as this, the riding ability of pupils developed greatly.
A handful of children started the project unable to ride a bike but by the end had the skill, confidence, and fitness to conquer the hilly and technical trails of Kielder Forest and those who wanted to progress even further went on to take part in mountain bike coaching with British Cycling.
The 4 routes included: Blyth to St Mary’s Lighthouse, Holy Island Causeway, Wallington Hall, and Kielder Reservoir.
Outcome
During the project students related physical education to their own mental wellbeing, learnt to use digital maps and the highway code.
Pupils said their physical and mental wellbeing improved. Many said that the challenge involved with the project had made them much more resilient. They reported being more confident cyclists especially when using gears, tacking hills or cycling on the road.
For many students it was the first time they had visited those destinations and that they think the North East is a fun, exciting and beautiful place to live. All participants said they were now much more likely to cycle after the project but a small number said they would not be able to due to not having access to a bike.
Those involved with the project reported that pupils appeared happier and more motivated in class in the run up to rides and shortly after, stating:
“Many pupils are now more resilient and have adopted a growth mindset having overcome the challenges in the project. Pupils said they were up for more ‘adventures’ and ‘challenges’.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East commented:
“Well done to Wingrove School for their ‘Tour of the North East’. It is wonderful to see that the funding from our partnership with the Community Foundation has enabled the school to enrich their PE and Geography curriculum with this project and the benefits it has had for their students’ wellbeing.”
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