Physically active schools

Wellbeing webinars

Why physical activity in schools is so important and first steps to improving provision

Our first Wellbeing webinar of the term explored why physical activity is such a crucial component of mental health and wellbeing, especially for young people. We considered how school governors and their schools can begin to improve their provision and culture. Featuring guest speakers Alex Ogden, Yorkshire Sport’s Development Manager for Education and School Sport, Bert Bond PhD, researcher at the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre (CHERC) at the University of Exeter, and Jon Smedley, founder and director of Teach Active.

What are the first steps needed to improve physical activity in schools?

There are baseline areas of knowledge and action that school governors should look at to help schools become more physically active. This article outlines the first steps school governors should consider to improve physical activity levels for pupils.

An introduction to active learning and active classrooms

There is a lot of pressure on school staff and pupils to fit as much as possible into a limited amount of time. So, it’s no surprise that sport, PE, and other forms of physical activity – even free play at break times – can have their time allocation squeezed. This article introduces the concept of active learning and how it can help increase activity levels across the school day, but also improve engagement, behaviour, and outcomes.

Primary PE and Sport Premium Funding

Many primary school governors will have come across the term ‘sport premium funding’ but may be unsure as to what it is and how it could and should be spent. This article outlines how school governors can make the most of any available funding.

An introduction to active travel and its potential in your school

Active travel is broadly any form of getting about that involves physical exertion. This article considers the numerous benefits to its wider adoption, including macro social benefits such as reduced air and noise pollution. We also look at how school governors can play a role in supporting active travel in their school.

Working with parents to improve school physical activity culture

Parents are one of the least utilised but potentially most powerful allies in improving a school’s ethos of physical activity and wellbeing. This article outlines why school governors and school staff understand why and how to best engage with parents to create a sustainable, constructive partnership.