TEACHERS and students at an Andover infants school have both been discovering the joy of cycling.

Portway Infant School is currently one of only a handful of schools in Hampshire to formally teach cycling with this age group as part of its PE curriculum.

PE manager Jackie Harrington explained: “All the staff have undergone training to teach the children the various skills they need to ride a bike safely.

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“The children are taught how to check their own bike before riding and then after starting on a Balance Bike the children progress to pedals when they are ready.”

Over the summer holidays, Portway installed a cycle path encircling their field specifically aimed at giving the children more room to practise riding their bikes.

Combined with the cycling lessons, the children at Portway are well on their way to becoming the generation that will meet the Government’s cycling challenge.

Now members of staff are even getting in on the act too, with a set of bikes for members of staff being purchased with help from Just Bikes in Andover to encourage the staff to cycle during lunchtime or after school

Headteacher Sara Allen said: “Exercise and fresh air are critical to adult physical and mental health just as they are to children and helping staff squeeze some cycling into their very busy week not only encourages staff to look after themselves but acts as a great role model for the children too.

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“Staff have been having great fun cycling around the new track together, some have even been enjoying a 20-minute bike ride after school to clear their heads before sitting down to mark books or plan lessons.”

Sara continued: “We hope that by teaching the children from a young age they will grow up safe, confident cyclists and will develop a lifelong love of cycling.

“We hope they will recognise the benefits of riding a bike and how it impacts on their own physical and mental health and supports a cleaner environment.”