Sharpy the Shark opens Leigh Park school's new running track funded by sugar tax

THANKS to the sugar tax, pupils will now be able to get active on a purpose-built track for their daily runs.
By Millie Salkeld
Published 30th Nov 2020, 12:15 BST
Updated 30th Nov 2020, 13:44 BST
Sharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur RahmanSharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Sharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Each day students at Sharps Copse Primary School in Leigh Park take part in a 10-minute run as part of the school’s aim to support physical and mental wellbeing.

Now headteacher Mike Elsen, dressed as school mascot Sharpy Shark, officially opened the school’s new 300m running track round the field thanks to a cash boost of £36,000 of from Hampshire County Council via the sugar tax.

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Mr Elsen told The News: ‘Making sure our pupils are mentally and physically well is something we think is so important and to be able to have a proper running track for the daily runs is amazing.

Sharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur RahmanSharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Sharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
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‘Previously the children have had to run around the playground, which is quite small so it takes a lot of laps, or on the field when it isn’t muddy. This rubber-topped track is amazing.’

The running track will be named the Sharpy Shark Run after its mascot and the school’s values – Standards, Honesty, Attitude, Resilience and Pride.

Mr Elsen said: ‘Our values are so important in the school and the pupils love the mascot. We have around 150 soft toy sharks that are usually given out to pupils who have done something really good but due to Covid we have had to move to shark stickers.

Sharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur RahmanSharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Sharps Copse Primary School is officially opening their Sharpy Shark Run track in their school field on 27 November 2020. The track was put in through funding support from Hampshire County Council (£36,000) via the sugar tax and put in by the company Scandor. Pictured: Head Teacher, Mike Elsen leading their first run with the children on the track on 27 November 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
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‘We have also moved our weekly assembly online which is when we read out our winners for the week and I think the children have really enjoyed seeing me on their TVs and computers reading out their names.’

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Mr Elsen, who has been headteacher for eight years, said the pupils had adapted well after a tough year with the pandemic.

He added: ‘Since coming back to school after Covid, all our children have done really well, attendance is up and they are working so hard with our catch-up learning programme to make sure everyone is on track after the year.

‘Our aim is to make sure that after our responsibilities for teaching reading, writing and maths that we are also teaching them life skills like communicating and making sure they feel happy and safe and if they need someone to speak to then we are here.’

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Related topics:PrideHampshire County Council

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