News
North Wales School Unveils New ‘ACTIVE PLAYGROUND’ Track To Inspire Daily Movement
12/03/2026 00:00, In Blog /
Through funding from London Marathon Foundation, Ysgol Bryn Deva is one of three schools in Wales to receive “Active Playground” markings to inspire movement throughout the school day. By maximising limited outdoor space, the active playground markings enable more children to participate in activities such as The Daily Mile, TCS Mini London Marathon in schools and active lessons and breaktimes, leading to increased levels of physical activity. Through partnership with London Marathon Foundation, Welsh Athletics worked with local partners to identify schools, who were invited to express their interest for the initiative.
Ysgol Bryn Deva wish to promote healthy lifestyles for their learners. To increased motivation and engagement, they encouraged young ambassadors to take a lead on the playground design. Ysgol Bryn Deva aim to give every child the opportunity to take part in physical activity during the school day and build them into strong, capable, resilient, motivated individuals. The new active playground can support and facilitate this vision!
Welsh Athletics, the implementation partner of The Daily Mile in Wales, is committed to playing its role in ensuring that every young person has a lifelong love of sport and physical activity. We provide opportunities for everyone – not just those who are already active and engaged. The Daily Mile is a key programme for Welsh Athletics; it is an inclusive, accessible, free physical activity initiative which improves physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing in schools. 686 (53%) schools and SEN settings are registered to The Daily Mile in Wales. We will continue to work with local partners to ensure that The Daily Mile becomes part of the school day in every school across Wales.
Cath Bingham, Young Person’s Physical Activity Officer at Welsh Athletics shared:
We are delighted to attend Ysgol Bryn Deva today to celebrate the completion of the London Marathon Foundation funded ‘Active Playground’. Our aim is to champion and inspire daily physical activity within the school and wider community, building lifelong healthy habits and enjoyment of movement. The track will encourage engagement in The Daily Mile, TCS Mini London Marathon in schools and active breaks to improve the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of our children. Thank you Ysgol Bryn Deva for prioritising the health and wellbeing of your learners!
Jack Sargeant, Minister for Sport, said:
It's fantastic to see investment like this coming to schools, especially when supported further with initiatives like the Active Playground and The Daily Mile. They are making a real difference to children's health and wellbeing, and it's brilliant that my former primary school Ysgol Bryn Deva is leading the way. Getting young people moving every day, in a fun and inclusive environment, is exactly the kind of positive change we want to see in our communities.
James Williams, CEO at Welsh Athletics added:
Our thanks to Jack Sargeant MS for attending today – we have a passion at Welsh Athletics for getting young people moving and being physically active. We aim to have every child in Wales being engaged with some form of Athletics/running initiative by 2030, the Daily Mile is a key part of that ambition. Creating simple facilities like the one being unveiled today at Ysgol Bryn Deva is another way to enthuse and engage young people to get out and run, walk, jog or push every day – creating healthier communities and a lifelong love of sport and physical activity.
Gemma Gibbons, teacher:
The Active Playground markings have really inspired staff to embed more physical activity into the school day; everyone's making plans to get our for their Daily Mile with their classes and we're looking forward to getting involved with the Mini London Marathon in schools too!