Ivy learning Trust and Churchfield Primary leads way in supporting children's mental health
As part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2025, which aims to shine a light on and improve the mental health of young people, Churchfield Primary School in Enfield, has been recognised by both Place2Be and The Daily Mile Foundation for the positive steps it is taking.

Part of the Ivy Learning Trust, who are leading the way in developing all their schools into mentally healthy schools, Churchfield Primary has taken clear action to support the mental health and wellbeing of its pupils. As a partner school of both Place2Be and The Daily Mile, it offers in-school mental health services for children; and encourages pupils – regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances – to run, wheel, or walk for 15 minutes in the fresh air. Such mental health in action paves the way for deeper community links between schools, charities, health and education. Working together at the forefront of encouraging and educating children to develop healthy habits, supporting their mental health and enabling children to flourish, which in turn also helps alleviate some of the enormous pressure the NHS is currently facing.
Catherine Roche, Chief Executive of Place2Be, and Gordon Banks, Global Director of The Daily Mile Foundation, visited Churchfield Primary to see first-hand the benefits these activities have brought to the school.
Catherine continues: “Combining this with The Daily Mile is a brilliant way to boost wellbeing and emotional and physical fitness. There is strong evidence that physical activity has a positive impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing and we look forward to working with The Daily Mile on this great initiative."
More about Place2Be
Place2Be provides mental health support services in primary, secondary, high and all-through schools across England, Scotland and Wales. Place2Be partner schools benefit from a dedicated mental health professional who is an integral part of the school team. They work closely with pupils, families and staff to improve emotional wellbeing and provide mental health services for the whole school community. Place2Be offers a mixture of mental health and counselling services for pupils, parents and carers and staff based on a school's individual needs.
More about The Daily Mile
The Daily Mile, supported by INEOS, was first developed by Elaine Wyllie MBE when she was Headteacher of St Ninian’s Primary School in Stirling, Scotland in February 2012. Since 2016, The Daily Mile has been supported by global chemical company INEOS, which has enabled the free initiative to grow globally helping millions of kids to get active every day.
The initiative is simple – but can be transformational to children’s health and wellbeing. It involves classes heading outside to run, wheel or walk around the school grounds for 15-minutes every day, at whatever pace suits the child best. It gets children active with their friends and teachers and refreshed for further learning. The Daily Mile is free, fun and fits in the school day easily.
Though named “The Daily Mile” (as children tend to average running a mile in the 15-minutes), the distance isn’t compulsory, and the ethos of the scheme is of inclusivity, enjoyment, and self-improvement over time. The Daily Mile is intended to help all children, no matter their age, ability, or personal circumstances, enjoy getting active every day – getting fitter and healthier now, but also developing healthy habits for a lifetime.
Please visit our website, www.thedailymile.co.uk, to learn more.