Online resources launched to boost children’s physical activity in schools

A new online platform featuring inspiring videos and resources for schools has been launched to help pupils stay active and healthy during the school day.

With more than 99.9% of state-funded schools open to pupils as of 10th September, lessons having resumed and children being reunited with their friends and teachers, the Department for Education’s new online video collection will support young people’s mental and physical health.

Schools can access videos on YouTube which will provide creative and entertaining content that helps staff to safely offer 30 active minutes in a Covid-secure environment. This includes videos from schools and young leaders across the country sharing best practice on how to incorporate being active into lessons, break-times and travel times, content from Sport England featuring their Daily Activators doing the ‘Daily Mile’, inclusive activities for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and content to encourage more girls to get involved in physical activity.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

“Getting pupils back into education full-time and back with their friends and teachers has been a national priority, so it’s fantastic to see millions of pupils back in the classroom – the best place for their education, development and wellbeing.

“We know that keeping active is a vital part of every child’s education, as well as being important for their mental and physical health, so it’s encouraging to see so many schools adapting to these new ways of working and sharing their experiences with others. Events like National Fitness Day and the new Great British Week of Sport promote the benefits of sport and physical education, and I hope that our new resources will make it easier than ever to incorporate 30 active minutes into the school day.”

The online collection, available on the Department for Education’s YouTube channel, builds on the Government’s commitments set out in the School Sport and Activity Action Plan. These include ensuring that children are active for 60 minutes every day, half of which they should do during school hours. Now more than ever, keeping active and maintaining good physical and mental health is an important part of every young person’s daily routine.

It follows the Education Secretary’s announcement in July that schools in England will benefit from £320 million from the Primary PE and Sport Premium during this academic year underlining the importance of PE and sport in the Government’s manifesto.

The Primary PE and Sport Premium is designed to help children get an active start in life, supporting primary schools to improve the quality of their PE and sport provision so that pupils experience the benefits of regular exercise – from becoming healthier both mentally and physically to improved behaviour and better academic achievement.