Information, guidance, and teaching resources about physical activity in schools.
Being active is important for children's health and wellbeing. It can help children feel happier, build confidence, make friends and focus better at school. It can also help with attendance, behaviour and being ready to learn.
Schools can help children be more active by giving them different ways to move and exercise during the school day. This can help children build healthy habits for life.
Across the country, only 47.8% of children and young people get the recommended amount of physical activity. Some groups of children are less likely to be active than others.
Bristol does better than many other parts of England, but not everyone has the same opportunities to be active. Schools can help by making sure all children can take part in activities that are fun, welcoming and suitable for them.
National guidance and policy
Schools should be aware of the following guidance and policy documents:
- UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines
- National Curriculum for Physical Education
- Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education statutory guidance
- School Sport and Activity Action Plan
- Equality Act 2010
- Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice
These plans aim to make sure all children and young people have good opportunities to be active and take part.
Local policy and strategy
Relevant local strategies include:
- pdf Bristol Sport and Physical Activity Strategy(1.49 MB)
- pdf Bristol Physical Activity Health Needs Assessment(815 KB)
- Bristol Healthy Schools Physical Activity Specialist Award
These strategies recognise the important role schools play in creating active environments and reducing inequalities in health outcomes.
Your school's role
Your school can help children and young people enjoy being active and build healthy habits.
You can help by:
- providing fun and enjoyable PE that builds skills and confidence
- helping pupils walk, wheel or cycle to school
- giving pupils ways to be active at break and lunchtime
- offering sports and activity clubs that everyone can join
- finding ways for pupils to move and be active during lessons
- giving extra help to pupils who are less active or find it harder to take part
- encouraging staff to set a good example by being active
- working with families and local groups to help children be active outside school
Make sure every pupil has the chance to take part. Activities should meet different needs, including those of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or long-term health conditions.
Take a whole-school approach
A whole-school approach means working together to help all pupils be more active.
Our Healthy Schools Award for Physical Activity can help your school plan and improve how you support physical activity across the school.
A whole-school approach includes:
- leadership and management commitment
- curriculum planning
- pupil voice and participation
- staff wellbeing and role modelling
- school environment and culture
- family and community engagement
- monitoring and evaluation of impact
Making physical activity part of everyday school life helps all pupils be active and enjoy taking part.
Commissioned local services
Bristol Schools Active Travel
Get help to encourage more pupils to walk, wheel or cycle to school. Schools can use free resources, events, assemblies and workshops. You can also get help to work towards the Modeshift STARS sustainable travel award.
Find out more on the Travelwest site.
To get involved email: activetravel.schools@bristol.gov.uk
Wesport
The Active Partnership for the West of England, providing support, resources and professional development opportunities for schools.
Find out more: The West of England Sport Trust (Wesport)
Living Streets
Provides resources and programmes that encourage active travel to school.
Find out more: Living Streets
Sustrans
Supports schools to promote walking, wheeling and cycling.
Find out more: Sustrans