Ballard School in New Milton marked National Fitness Day and Stamp out Bullying Day with a series of energetic and exciting activities.

Children and staff spent their morning break doing a zumba class on the astroturf pitch led by former head girl Molly Marshall. Even headmaster Alastair Reid joined in.

Pupils from Reception to Year 5 assembled in the sports hall to hear about the national initiative to eradicate bullying and unkindness.

They were then led by the school’s Year 11 Sports’ Elite pupils in a 30-second ‘stamp’ to emphasise the fact that the school does not tolerate bullying in the local community.

Mr Reid said: “I am extremely impressed by all of our children and staff who got involved in this important event.

“Bullying is something abhorred by the school and the wider community, and this was the perfect way to celebrate our anti-bullying ethos, whilst highlighting the national initiatives that are in place too.”

Older pupils also got involved during their PSHE lessons later in the day and the fitness theme returned in the lunch break with an inter-house series of exercises involving rowing machines, medicine balls, press ups and jumps.