A WORCESTER school has been chosen to promote the popular This Girl Can campaign.

The campaign aims to get women and girls moving regardless of shape, size or ability.

Tudor Grange Academy Worcester was asked to be a lead school in Worcestershire to help raise the numbers of girls taking part in sport.

Samantha Roach, principal of Tudor Grange Academy Worcester, said: “Due to the hard work and dedication the Girls' PE department we have seen an increase in girls' participation rates and were selected as one of the Lead Schools in Worcestershire to help promote and support this important campaign.

"We joined with the County Sports Partnership and hosted a market place for local companies to offer our girls and any female members of staff a chance to try a range of sporting activities.

"Gender has, unfortunately, a significant influence on physical activity levels; only 31.6 per cent of women play sport at least once a week according to Sport England.

"Nationally, 13 million women and girls said they wanted to play more sport of whom nearly half are currently inactive.

"There are also growing concerns over mental health problems experienced by teenage girls as recently indicated by the Department for Education.

"Physical activity is renowned for being as good for the mind as it is the body, helping reduce stress, increase self-esteem and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.”

Jo Chadderton, teacher of Girls’ PE, said: “We have already witnessed the positive effects this campaign is having on our students with 55 girls attending active breaks as well as an increase in numbers using the local sports facilities at Perdiswell Leisure Centre.”