Helenswood School in Hastings, in partnership with sports trust Freedom Leisure, is taking part in the Fitness Industry Association’s ‘go’ initiative, which has been developed to encourage teenage girls to get active.

Freedom Leisure is offering girls aged 15 and 16 the chance to try forms of exercise not traditionally offered in schools, such as street dance, cheerleading, martial arts and yoga.

The free six-week programme will launch at Freedom Leisure’s Helenswood Sports Centre in Hastings on Wednesday 6 June with a studio session led by Active Hastings dance leaders.

In addition, a gym-based session will run on Thursdays, giving the girls access to a variety of activities to ensure that motivation and enthusiasm is maintained.

A nutritionist will talk to the participants about healthy eating, reinforcing the benefits of a healthy diet combined with an active lifestyle.

Toby Reed, manager of Freedom Leisure’s Helenswood Sports Centre, said: “Freedom Leisure is delighted to be working with Helenswood School and Active Hastings on this new initiative.

“Group exercise is a great way to be inspired and we aim to introduce the girls to a range of fun activities which they will hopefully wish to incorporate into their lives.”

Cassie Brand, the school sports co-ordinator at Helenswood School, added: “Helenswood’s involvement in this new pilot programme is a tremendous demonstration of its commitment to helping its students develop and sustain a healthier lifestyle.

“We want to show that exercise can be fun and encourage our students to make physical activity an essential part of their lives.”