Fit for Sport and Next Generation have announced the winners of the first ever Fitter Schools UK Challenge, which aimed to increase the level of physical activity in children and improve their fitness levels.

From the 2,500 schools and one million children across the UK that took part in the challenge, one primary and one secondary school have been announced the winners for showing the most significant improvement in pupils’ health and fitness over a five month period.

As the winning secondary school, The Royal Liberty School in Romford, Essex, recorded the most percentage increase in pupils’ fitness between Februaury and June this year. The school has won £45,000 of fitness equipment from the Life Fitness Circuit Series.

The winning primary school is Cottingley Primary School in Leeds, which will receive around £5,000 of sports kit and coaching services.

Children took a range of two-minute tests including star jumps and shuttle runs to judge their fitness levels at various stages throughout the challenge.

Dean Horridge, MD of Fit for Sport, says: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response we’ve had to the Challenge. So many schools entered and the feedback we’ve had has been really positive.”