In support of National School Sport week taking place from 20-24th June, Razzamataz Theatre Schools is encouraging more young people to benefit from performing arts by offering a free voucher to attend one of the sessions in your local Razzamataz school.

National School Sport Week is organised by the Youth Sport Trust and is the largest celebration of sport in school. The aim is to encourage more children to participate in activities that improve their health and fitness.

Although initiatives such as this are helping to address the issue, there is still a growing problem with childhood obesity in the UK, with many youngsters simply not getting enough exercise.

Razzamataz Theatre Schools is a national network of part-time performing arts schools throughout the UK. With more than 40 schools and growing each year, providing young people with a healthy outlet is an important part of the company’s ethos.

“Not every child has a love for PE and sport so it is really important to find something else that they connect with,” explains Denise Hutton-Gosney, Founder and MD of Razzamataz Theatre Schools. “Razzamataz classes are fun and keep children fit and active without them realising they are exercising.”

Performing arts has been credited with many positive health and well-being benefits. Singing has been linked with good health for decades, with participants having lower stress and lower cortisol levels. Dance helps to build long and lean muscles, improves posture and increases flexibility as well as helping to burn more calories. Even acting has many physical benefits such as improving body control and general fitness and all three disciplines are known to encourage a sense of community and feelings of happiness.

“Performing arts is a great way for children to learn what wonderful things they can do with their bodies with a little determination and work,” adds Denise. “We hope to instill a love of exercise in the young so they take these healthy habits and apply them throughout their life.”

In 2015, more than a million children took part in events up and down the country. The aim is to raise the profile of sport and encourage more young people to try out a whole range of different healthy activities.

To apply for a free session of performing arts, simply call your local Razzamataz and quote National School Sports Week session.