A NEW initiative, Balanceability, which teaches children how to ride a bike, has come to Forest and Sandridge Primary School thanks to sponsorship from local businesses and cycle teacher, Paul Ashman.
Reception children at Forest and Sandridge School now have the opportunity to take part in Balanceability, the UK’s first accredited ‘learn-to-cycle’ programme for children aged 2½ to 6-years-old.
Balanceability combines ergonomic balance bikes with a schedule of activities that build confidence, spatial-awareness and dynamic balance skills, enabling young children to cycle without ever needing stabilisers.
The school’s PTA, Forest Friends, have worked to secure sponsorship from local businesses to purchase the bikes for the children to use. The businesses were invited to a launch event on 1st October, to see the children enjoying the new bikes.
The visiting sponsors were Shiners Express, Automated Doorways and Avon Protection. The other sponsors were Lock & Key Estate Agents, Bewleys, BSB Flooring & Renovations, Wiltshire College, Melksham Independent Insurance Brokers, Prestige Pine, Kingstons Estate Agents, Wiltshire School of Gymnastics and The Foresters Arms.
Carl Stacey of Shiners Express said, “We decided to sponsor one of the bikes because it’s really good for the children and we have been fortunate to gain support from the local community, so we wanted to give something back.”
Mark and Bryn Eastman of Automated Doorways said, “We help look after schools in the local area and we live local and wanted to help out. It’s great to see how excited the children are on the bikes. They really help to build confidence, get them outside of the classroom and teach them something new.”
Mike Lee of Avon Protection said, “My daughter comes to Forest and Sandridge, so we wanted to help support young children.”
Paul Ashman runs the group at the school and also at The Manor School. For more information about his work visit http://www.paulashmancycling.com