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Growing concerns over childhood obesity and inactivity have raised the profile of physical activity in schools, with many schools seeking to do more in this important area.

In response to these concerns, thousands of primary school children are now enthusiastically counting the number of steps they make every day with the help of pedometers. They are using them both as a tool to support a wide range of curriculum activities and as a way of increasing awareness of the need to be active.

Distributed through the Schools on the Move programme, a joint DH, Department for Education and Skills and Youth Sport Trust project, the pedometers have so far been given to 9,000 pupils at 54 schools in deprived areas across England and have been backed up by resource materials for schools, teachers and pupils aimed at integrating pedometers into the life of the school.

The results have been impressive. According to David Lodge at Garibaldi College, Nottingham: 'Pedometer fever has swept the school! Everyone, including the staff, has gone crazy for it so far.'

'Schools from every government region are taking part and are incorporating the pedometers into lessons', added Hannah Sharpe of the Youth Sport Trust. 'For example, the children are using the number of steps they have taken to learn about graphs. What's more, the kids love it.'

'Several schools have already considered and engaged in pedometer project across the country with positive results,' said Education Minister Lord Adonis.'The Schools on the Move pilot aims to build on the success of these projects by integrating pedometers into the life of the school and in turn, integrating physical activity into the daily life of young people.'