Getting Active in School: Advice, Guidance and Training
Sports and physical activity help young people’s academic attainment, whilst building vital social skills.
Being active in school is crucial for children and young peoples’ development.
We know that being physically active at a young age helps children live healthier lifestyles. However, physical activity and sports also supports children and young people’s academic attainment, and helps to build resilience and social skills – all crucial skills for later life.
We consider physical activity a key tool which can not only help improve children’s health, but can also help achieve whole school outcomes. This is why we’re so keen to help schools in Norfolk make the most of physical activity opportunities available to them.
Getting children active in school: How and why?
Movement and exercise can greatly improve pupils’ health and wellbeing. In addition, physical activity can support with improving learning behaviours and outcomes. Incorporating activity into the school day can be done through several methods, including:
- Active travel to and from school
- Encouraging movement during breaks and lunchtime
- PE lessons and extracurricular activities
- Through programmes such as the Norfolk School Games
You can scroll through the resources below to find out more, and get started.
Supporting active travel at school
By encouraging young people to travel to and from school in an active way, this could help improve their concentration levels throughout the day.
There are several ways you can implement an active travel programme through your school.
Find out more
Activity in Schools Resource Guide
Physical activity plays an important role in enhancing the health, wellbeing, and achievements of young people. Find out more about the benefits and how to improve your offering at school.
Download Activity in Schools Guide
Using Coaches in Schools
Coaches can perform a valuable role in schools. They can support and up-skill teachers to improve the delivery of physical education in primary schools.
Download Coaches in Schools Guide
Norfolk School Games
The Norfolk School Games is part of the national School Games programme. It is a government-led programme which aims to inspire children and young people to be physically active.
Find out more about the Norfolk School Games
Norfolk School Streets
Norfolk School Streets is a programme that has been trialled across a few schools in Norfolk to encourage active travel within pupils.
Get startedAdditional resources for schools to get pupils active
- The Daily Mile | Getting Children Moving
- Teach Active | Active Maths & English Lessons
- Norfolk’s Activity Finder | EveryMove
- Become FSA recognised | Forest School Association
- Resources For Schools | JustOneNorfolk
Funding for Norfolk schools
PE and Sport Premium
The Primary PE and Sport Premium is a £320 million government funding pot which is allocated to primary school headteachers.
The funding is ring-fenced, and schools must spend the funding on improvements to their PE and sport provision to receive it. This funding should also be used to maximise pupils’ health and wellbeing benefits.
Schools have the freedom to choose how they do this, however there are many rules on what it can be used for. You can find out more about the funding here.
Other funding
Schools can apply for up to £5000 a year over a three year period in order to extend the opening hours and improve existing facilities. Find out more about this and apply here.
Online Training: Increasing Physical Activity in Schools
We also offer free online e-learning modules to help you learn about the benefits of physical activity in schools.
These modules also cover the best use of the Primary PE and Sports Premium in Norfolk. They will make suggestions on how best to maximise the funding to benefit the young people in your school.
Need further advice for schools?
Our Children and Young People (CYP) team can provide bespoke support and guidance. Get in touch for more information, help or advice.
Get in touch with our CYP team