PUPILS at a Bolton primary school have been ‘scooter boarding’ as part of a programme intended to introduce them to new sports.

Year 5 and 6 pupils at St Matthew’s CE Primary School in Halliwell have been taking part in weekly sessions since the start of the school year in September.

The classes, which have been taking place on a Wednesday afternoon, are being delivered by Bolton-based company Prime Sports.

The school, in Kentford Road, are offering the sessions as an extra-curricular activity, part of a programme designed to introduce pupils to new sports.

They finished last week, and have proved to be a huge success, according to the school’s year five class teacher and PE co-ordinator Andy Currid.

Mr Currid said: “We are trying to introduce the children to new sports to encourage healthy lifestyles and improve their wellbeing.

“Hopefully, children who might not take part in more mainstream sports will engage with these.”

Scooter boards are plastic boards with wheels at the bottom, and are used to make traditional sports more inclusive due to the fact that children with disabilities can also take part.

During the classes, the pupils have used the boards to play hockey with a small handheld bat while wheeling themselves around the hall.

The boards have also been used for a number of other sports and activities involving throwing and catching, including netball.

Mr Currid added: “The kids loved it.

“It’s something completely different for them and it makes it more fun.

“The great thing about the scooter boards is that it puts everyone on the same platform because the stronger children are not more powerful.

“It’s been really well taken up. We’re struggling to get everyone on the course.”