Welcome to ACES & PACES 

The Derbyshire Health Promoting Schools Scheme is proud to support the annual global Project ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) on the first Wednesday in May every year. We also support PACES events. 

This international event includes millions of children from schools in 50 countries, who will be active in unison to promote the benefits of physical activity. Physical inactivity is a growing concern for children in Derbyshire and around the world.

What do the children do during ACES?

On the first Wednesday in May, at 10 a.m., the children will either exercise, walk, jog, bike, dance, do aerobics, or do a combination of all the above.  Each school organises its own participation event for the 15-45 minutes that the programme runs (or longer if you wish).  There is no specific routine to follow: just have the children do some form of exercise at 10 a.m.  Feel free to be as creative as you would like.  Many schools choose to invite local celebrities to the event, and play music to accompany the activities.

Organisers of local events can choose to get the whole school involved, or just selected classes.  The majority of schools get the entire school population outside on to the field/playground, put on music, and encourage everyone in the school to have some fun by moving and exercising together.

Project ACES was started in 1989 by Physical Education teacher Len Saunders of New Jersey, USA. Len wanted to get one school in every state to exercise at the same time on a specific day in May, to motivate his physical education classes to exercise. The rest is history! The programme is growing and growing each year. 

Derbyshire schools have been participating in ACES since 2004.  Derbyshire Health Promoting Schools is again undertaking the co-ordination of the project in Derbyshire. 

PACES
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Project ACES (May 2008), the creator of Project ACES now introduces PACES.  PACES is an acronym for 'Parents And Children Exercise Simultaneously.' PACES Day takes place every weekend throughout the year, but is highlighted on the Saturday that follows ACES day. Children need daily, quality physical activity in schools, and exercise time at home (PACES).

Now, children can still enjoy Project ACES at school, but also participate in PACES at home. PACES Day not only promotes exercise time, but family time.  PACES Day will always take place on the Saturday that follows ACES day. On this day, parents will exercise with their children for 15-45 minutes. The web site offers many great ideas for what your family can do on PACES Day. You can also download the ‘52 weeks of fitness’ work sheet on the downloads page for some other great ideas.

Parents play a key role in the growth and development of their children. They are also the most influential role models in their children's lives. Most children understand that their parents work very hard throughout the work week. The weekends are normally family time. Not only will families sign up to exercise together on PACES Day, but they will now commit to exercise every weekend as a family. PACES Day is not a once-a-year event, but a weekly event. The main day (the first Saturday in May) will draw attention to the idea of people all over the world exercising together. This is the motivational tool for the children. PACES Day is meant to kick-start an exercise session with the family.

Now you can enjoy two wonderful programmes each year to get you up and moving. Project ACES will always take place on the first Wednesday in May, while PACES Day will always take place the first Saturday in May. Always remember, both programs are more than just once-a-year events. Sign-up for PACES Day today. When you sign up, your family name will be recognised along with those of other families from around the world. Signing up will also serve as a motivational tool to encourage your children to exercise. They will enjoy seeing your family name on this web page.

Tell families about PACES day
Tell all the families you know about PACES. Word of mouth is what made Project ACES a huge success, and the same can happen with the PACES programme. If you are a teacher, here is a way to motivate your children to exercise at home. Tell the students to share information about PACES with their parents. The same applies to coaches, recreation departments and health clubs. Share the information with your neighbours, schools, and friends to get them involved. Tell your work mates about PACES Day. Let's make PACES Day a huge success. Remember to sign-up today, so that your family is recognised as participating along with the millions worldwide. IT'S FREE!

Sign up at:
http://www.lensaunders.com/paces/signup.php

A sample of ACES feedback

A brilliant day, proving how valuable physical activity is to the whole curriculum.  Our children were enlivened and highly motivated all day – staff too.  Great day – we’re planning to do this every term as a ‘Commit to fit’ event!
Many Swanwick Community Primary School.

A v. enjoyable day
Dronfield Infant School

We always do it because we can arrange it to suit our small school’s autonomy.
Kirk Ireton C of E Primary School

Everyone felt it was worthwhile and want to do it more often in school.  Next year we hope to extend the length of physical exercise into a whole day.
All Saints C Of E Junior School.

We all had a brilliant time.
Ashbrook Infant School

Everyone enjoyed it.
Westfield Infant School

A very successful morning.  Enjoyed by all classes.
Ashbrook Junior School

The culmination of the day was when all children, helps and staff went onto the yard and began skipping together.  It was a sight to see, which was enjoyed by the many parents who came to watch.  2 weeks later the school is still skipping, behaviour at lunchtimes has certainly improved and instances of children spoiling each others skipping games have been rare.
Barlborough Primary School

All children, staff (teaching & non-teaching), some parents and even the builders working at school at the moment (!), came onto the field at 10.00 and took part in a half-hour aerobic session.  A really enjoyable session!
All Saints Catholic Primary School

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