WAKEY, WAKEY!

Staff at a Bolton primary school have introduced a unique lesson to make sure there are no sleepy heads in the mornings.

Each morning staff and children at Sharples primary take part in special 'wake and shake' sessions to get them energised for the day ahead.

The routine takes place in the school playground before the school bell sounds at the start of the day and involves nearly 300 children enjoying a dance to music in the playground.

Pauline Clarke, the school's business manager, said the classes – set up to mark Healthy Schools Week – have proved to be very popular.

She said: “All the children have been taking part as well as the staff, and as the week has gone on more parents have been staying to join in too. They have been on the playground everyday. It has been a wonderful start to the day. We have had lovely feedback from parents and the children have loved it.”

Children perform a variety of moves to the music and they are instructed to jump or wriggle their shoulders.

The sessions were originally led by staff but by the end of the week children were leading them, with staff members joining in.

On Thursday, three ten-year-old boys — Charlie Wilkinson, Zachary Edwards, and Lewis Bancroft — led the sessions after taking part all week.

Charlie said: “We really enjoy the fun, dancing and keeping healthy, plus it really wakes us up ready for class.”