Research shows that active children are healthier, happier, perform better at school and have improved social skills. But more than one third of children and young people across London and Birmingham are active for fewer than 30 minutes a day – that is less than half the minimum amount of daily activity recommended by the World Health Organisation. 

In an online awards ceremony the winner of Birmingham’s inaugural Active School Hero was named as Gemma Spiers, Pastoral Manager at Paget Primary School in Erdington. And this year’s London Active School Hero was awarded to Reon Thomas, PE Co-Ordinator at Wembley Primary School.       

The ceremony also recognised 10 area winners from Birmingham and 32 borough winners from London, before a Q&A with Chair of ukactive, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and hurdler Jessie Knight. 

Gemma Spiers won the award due to her dedication and commitment to getting children of all abilities active. In her role as Pastoral Manager, she uses physical activity as a means of motivating students with greater needs. Spiers has instilled her endless enthusiasm for physical activity in the children and staff at Paget, and has delivered a ‘whole school’ approach to getting children from reception to year 6 active, whether in the classroom or outside. 

London winner Reon Thomas was recognised as a passionate faculty member at Wembley Primary School and for ensuring that all the children he teaches are given as many opportunities as possible to be physically active. 

His passion inspired him to create his ‘boys to men’ club which helps build boys self-esteem, courage and discipline, and address any problems they may have in and around school. He also worked tirelessly through the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the kids at his school were engaged and active during lockdown.

In recognition of their dedication, the two winners will receive professional development training from Nike and the Youth Sport Trust, their schools will gain access to exclusive Nike opportunities and experiences to further inspire the students to be active.   

“Active School Hero has shown me that the work I do is important. I really try to make a positive change in every child I inspire but I have to say this win is not just down to me it has been a partnership between myself and the deputy head, and the whole school itself. This is a life-changing moment for me and I am looking forward to what the future and this award will bring for the kids at Wembley Primary,” said Reon Thomas.