Active Cornwall – Working together for active, healthy and happy lives

Swimming Recommendations

Did you know that you can spend your Primary Sport Premium funding on activities that make sure all of your year 6 pupils can swim at least 25 metres unaided? This could include top-up swimming lessons, renting transport, instructor time and so on.

Have you checked to see if swimming has been included as part of this year’s Cornwall School Games programme? Maybe your school could get involved?

Have you checked to see if there are any School Games training and CPD opportunities?

If you have any questions about how else you might support your children’s swimming, please contact Karen Edmond, GLL Community Service.

PE recommendations

In September 2023, Ofsted published a subject report looking at how physical education (PE) is being taught in England’s schools. It found that only a small number of schools have a clearly defined and broad PE curriculum. Many schools do not match the ambition of the national curriculum.

Inspectors found that most schools schedule enough time in the week to teach PE. Most primary schools teach PE for 2 hours a week and around half of secondary schools allocate the same to all year groups. Football and other team sports are given most of that time, meaning other sports are often given significantly less curriculum time and content is rarely revisited over time.

Where the curriculum is stronger, schools prioritise the most appropriate physical activities to teach. These activities are selected because they enable pupils to learn essential subject-specific knowledge and reach ambitious end points.

The report has made a number of recommendations for how schools can ensure that all pupils receive a high-quality PE education, including:

Making sure that the PE curriculum matches the breadth and ambition of the national curriculum for all pupils by including dance and outdoor and adventurous activities, as well as team games such as football.
Making sure that the time in PE lessons is spent on developing pupils’ competence. Pupils should practise, refine and revisit previous content before learning new or more complex knowledge, so that they can secure the prior learning and, importantly, build their confidence.
Choosing the most appropriate physical activities and sports, so that all pupils are well supported to meet ambitious outcomes. By making sure that specific sports and physical activities are sequenced coherently to broaden pupils’ understanding from key stage 1 to key stage 4.
Supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively so that they can access an ambitious curriculum and achieve well. This includes ensuring that staff are well trained to provide precise support in different sports so that all pupils can meet clear and ambitious end points.

Read the full report on the Government Website.

Watch the Beyond the Physical Webinar below.

School governors and trustees recommendations

Engaging school governors and trustees in promoting and supporting physical activity levels among children requires a strategic and collaborative approach. Here are some effective ways to involve school governors in initiatives related to physical activity:

Provide Information and Research:
- Share relevant information and research on the benefits of physical activity for children’s health, well-being, and academic performance.
- Present evidence-based data that highlights the positive impact of physical activity on cognitive development, behavior, and overall school success.
Organise Workshops and Presentations:
- Host workshops or presentations specifically focused on the importance of physical activity in your school.
- Invite experts, health professionals, or physical education specialists to share insights on the role of physical activity in child development.
Highlight Success Stories:
- Showcase success stories from other schools or your school that have successfully implemented initiatives to increase physical activity levels.
- Use real-life examples to demonstrate the positive outcomes and improvements observed in schools that prioritise physical activity.
Incorporate Physical Activity into Meetings:
- Integrate physical activity breaks into governor meetings to demonstrate how brief, active breaks can be seamlessly incorporated into various settings.
- These breaks can be simple stretches, chair exercises, or quick movement activities to refresh participants.
Collaborate with Local Organisations:
- Establish partnerships with local sports organisations, health agencies, or fitness professionals.
- Invite representatives from these organisations to speak to governors about community-wide initiatives and how schools can collaborate to promote physical activity.
Present Long-Term Benefits:
- Emphasise the long-term benefits of investing in physical activity initiatives, including potential improvements in academic achievement, reduced healthcare costs, and positive community impact.
- Frame physical activity as an investment in the overall well-being and success of the students.
Share Student Involvement and Perspectives:
- Provide opportunities for students to share their experiences and perspectives on the importance of physical activity.
- Student testimonials, presentations, or interactive sessions can offer a first-hand account of how physical activity positively influences their lives.
Create a Wellness Committee:
- Establish a wellness committee that includes representatives from the school staff, parents, and governors.
- The committee can collaborate on developing and implementing strategies to enhance physical activity levels within the school.
Set Measurable Goals:
- Work with governors to set measurable goals related to increasing physical activity levels in the school.
- Establish benchmarks and create action plans to track progress, fostering a sense of accountability among governors.
Provide Regular Updates:
- Regularly update governors on the school’s efforts and progress in promoting physical activity.
- Share data on participation rates, success stories, and any notable achievements related to physical activity initiatives.
Encourage Participation:
- Encourage governors to actively participate in school events that promote physical activity, such as sports days, wellness fairs, or fitness challenges.
- Their involvement can set a positive example for the school community.
Seek Their Input:
- Involve governors in the decision-making process for physical activity initiatives.
- Seek their input on policies, programs, and resource allocation related to promoting active lifestyles within the school.

By employing a combination of these strategies, schools can successfully engage school governors in supporting and promoting physical activity levels among children. The key is to provide relevant information, create a collaborative environment, and demonstrate the tangible benefits of prioritizing physical activity within the school community.

The Governors for Schools Website provides a wealth of information that you can use with your school governors to support this.

Staff CPD recommendations

The delivery of CPD can vary. The variety of sources for professional development can also vary, and could include Active Cornwall, Cornwall Council, Youth Sport Trust, your local Sports Network, neighbouring schools, local coaches, fellow teachers and even yourself.

If you don’t currently do anything, why not start by getting your staff to take a look at the videos from the 2021 Cornwall Virtual School Sport, PE and Physical Activity Conference.

There are multiple workshops to help staff understand why being active is important and how they can help to integrate physical activity into the school day in easy, simple ways.

Welcome, Keynotes and Questions to Panel – YouTube

We also have a range of training opportunities available to book via our website:

To chat with members of Active Cornwall to discuss your professional development needs, please contact:

samantha.lawrence@cornwall.gov.uk – Early Years Foundation Stage
abbie.dennison@cornwall.gov.uk – School Games and General Education
megan.hilley@cornwall.gov.uk – Inclusion and SEND
lewis.sanders@cornwall.gov.uk – Holiday provision

Student's voice recommendations

Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 12 of the UNCRC states that national governments shall:

‘assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.’

Engaging pupils, both individually and collectively, in their PE, School Sport and Physical Activity, helps ensure that children’s and young people’s internationally recognised rights are respected and gives them ownership and influence over important aspects of their physical, emotional, social and educational development.

Children’s Rights in Practice for schools from Cornwall Council on Vimeo.

Advice and support on ways to engage student voice can be found:

Deploying young leaders recommendations

Incorporating older children to support younger ones in sports and physical education (PE) can be a beneficial and rewarding experience for both age groups. It fosters a sense of community, mentorship, and teamwork. Here are some ways to use older children to support younger ones in sport and PE:

Buddy Systems:
- Implement a buddy system where older children are paired with younger ones.
- Buddies can assist with warm-ups, exercises, and skill development during PE sessions.
Peer Mentoring:
- Establish a peer mentoring program where older students take on a mentoring role for younger students.
- This can involve providing guidance on sports techniques, sharing experiences, and offering encouragement.
Team Building Activities:
- Organise team-building activities that involve both age groups.
- Older children can lead group activities or games that promote teamwork, cooperation, and communication.
Student-Led Warm-ups:
- Allow older students to take the lead in organising warm-up routines before PE or physical activity sessions.
- This encourages responsibility and leadership skills while ensuring a proper warm-up for younger students.
Skill Demonstration:
- Have older children demonstrate proper techniques and skills during sports activities.
- Younger children can learn by observing and imitating the older students, promoting skill development.
Inclusive Games:
- Modify games to be inclusive of various skill levels and abilities.
- Older students can help adapt games to ensure that younger children feel included and engaged.
Mixed-Age Teams:
- Create mixed-age teams for sports and activities.
- Older children can act as team captains, providing guidance and support to younger teammates during games and competitions.
Fitness Challenges:
- Organise fitness challenges where older and younger students work together to achieve common fitness goals.
- This can create a sense of camaraderie and motivation among the students.
Assisting in Equipment Setup:
- Assign older students the responsibility of setting up and organising sports equipment before PE sessions or clubs.
- This promotes a sense of ownership and teamwork while ensuring a smooth start to activities.
Mini-Coaching Clinics:
- Arrange mini-coaching clinics led by older students for specific sports or activities.
- Younger children can rotate through these clinics to receive guidance on different skills.
Role Modeling Sportsmanship:
- Emphasise the importance of sportsmanship and fair play.
- Older students can model positive behavior, teamwork, and respect for opponents, setting an example for younger peers.
Event Organisers:
- Involve older students in organising and coordinating sports events or mini-tournaments for younger children.
- This allows them to take on leadership roles and contribute to the planning process.

13. Reflective Discussions:

- - Facilitate reflective discussions where older students share their experiences, challenges, and achievements with younger students.
  - This creates an environment for learning from peers and building a supportive community.

By involving older children in supporting younger ones in sports, PE and physical activity, schools can promote a positive and inclusive learning environment while fostering leadership skills and a sense of responsibility among older students.

Time 2 Move Winners

Cornwall School Games Young Leaders Programme

If you are a secondary school, you can get your students involved in the Cornwall School Games Young Leaders Programme. Roles include Insight Leader, Media Leader, Sports Leader and Eco Leader.

Active environments recommendations

The Healthy Pupils Capital Fund was distributed by Active Cornwall within three localities in Cornwall to help schools give their youngest pupils more access to physical activity opportunities. Learn more about how schools have created active environments to encourage their pupils to move more during the school day.

11 minute video

If you need extra funds to help redesign your outside area or to enable travel to local outdoor spaces, some of the below may help:

Choice and variety recommendations

Choice and variety in school sports and physical activities are important for several reasons. Think about the below when planning what sports, physical activity, movement and play you incorporate into your PE lessons, other non PE lessons, after school clubs, weekend provision, lunch times and so on.

Individual Preferences and Talents:
- Students have diverse interests and abilities. Do you offer enough of a variety of sports and activities which will allow them to explore and find activities that match their preferences and talents?
- Some students may excel in team sports, while others may prefer individual activities like swimming, running, or martial arts. Do you offer a mixture of team, individual and pairing activities? Providing a range of options accommodates different skill sets.
Inclusive Participation:
- A diverse range of sports and activities ensures inclusivity. Do you ensure all students with varying abilities and physical fitness levels can find something that suits their capabilities based on their strengths and not on their weaknesses?
- Inclusive sports programs promote a sense of belonging and help to minimise feelings of exclusion among students who might not be interested in traditional mainstream sports as well as those with additional needs.
Physical and Mental Health Benefits:
- Different activities target various muscle groups and aspects of physical fitness. A well-rounded programme promotes overall physical health, including cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and coordination. For example, can your pupils build their strength as well as their stability and endurance?
- Physical activity has been linked to improved mental health, stress reduction, and increased concentration and focus. Offering choices allows students to find activities that resonate with them personally, enhancing the mental health benefits.
Skill Development:
- Do you offer exposure to a variety of activities that can help in the development of a broad range of motor skills? For example, team sports may enhance teamwork and communication, while individual sports can improve self-discipline and perseverance.
- Developing a diverse skill set can be beneficial not only for physical fitness but also for personal and professional development later in life.
Supporting Lifelong Engagement:
- Can all your pupils find an activity they enjoy in your setting? This will increase the likelihood that they will continue to engage in physical activity throughout their lives.
- Encouraging a lifelong commitment to physical fitness can have long-term health benefits and contribute to a healthier society.
Cultural Awareness and Diversity:
- Do you offer a variety of sports from different cultures present in your school? This can help introduce pupils to a broader perspective and fosters cultural awareness as well as offer something from their own culture that they may enjoy.
- Exposure to a diverse range of activities can help break down stereotypes and encourage mutual understanding among students from different backgrounds.

Some examples and ideas are below:

Music – Studies show that children who usually disengage from mainstream sports are more likely to engage with activities that incorporate music. This could include dance, dance to music fitness classes as well as just using music in mainstream activities.
Multi-sport – By offering multi-sport activities, most pupils will likely find something they enjoy or are good at, which can support future interest. Panathlon Challenge | Competitive Sport for Disabled & SEN Chilldren

For girls – This Girl Can offers Home | Studio You (studio-you.co.uk) which have been tried and tested with female audiences and support a love for movement.

Different competition – School Games for those who do not engage in school competition – About Cornwall School Games – Active Cornwall
Play – Child-led play at any age can spark enjoyment and fun, as children with gravitate towards things they enjoy. Healthy Movers – Active Cornwall
Interest-based activities – What do your pupils love? Do they love video games? The try dance mats, laser tag or quick reaction boards. Do they love reading? Then try story trails or Quidditch. Do they love exploring the outdoors? Try orienteering, bug hunts, obstacle courses or mountain biking. Do they love to paint or write? Try playground painting on large scales, wall graffiti or performance poetry.
Outside of school – learn which clubs or local activities are available that could offer things that you cannot after school, on weekends or during the school holidays.

Physical literacy recommendations

Physical literacy is our relationship with movement and physical activity throughout our lives. If we have the skills, knowledge and motivation to move, then we are more likely to be physically active.

Physical literacy can change throughout their life. But the seeds are sown during the earliest stages. If a child wants to move, knows they can, has the physical skills and understands the value of moving, then they are more likely to engage with physical activity.

The Sport England Active Lives surveys have told us that just 47% of children and 63% of adults are meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines. Furthermore, we know that 30% of children and 26% of adults do less than an average of 30 minutes activity a day.

There are also significant inequalities, with a person’s ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and age all impacting how likely they are to be physically active. However, research shows that children with high levels of physical literacy are twice as likely to engage in sport and physical activity and adults who feel strongly that they have the ability to be active, the opportunity to be active and enjoy being active are also more likely to be active.

To help more people be active it’s important everyone involved in the provision of sport and physical activity understands that there’s more to it than helping someone develop their physical movement skills. We must also consider how a person moves, connects, thinks and feels about movement and how their environment, culture, community or places and spaces they move in can powerfully influence their relationship with movement in both positive and negative ways.

By understanding what contributes to a person’s physical literacy, we can adapt and evolve our policies, practices and programmes to ensure it meets all of their needs.

Can you assess Physical Literacy?

The Youth Sport Trust have developed a framework and assessment statements to help guide early years professional and teachers to assess physical literacy in their pupils. It can be accessed by visiting the Youth Sport Trust website.

Can you promote Physical Literacy?

We have a number of posters and social media imagery on our website that you can freely use. They have been built around the concept of Physical Literacy and can be used on your staff noticeboards and on digital communication platforms. Sport England will also be developing more resources that can be used to help communicate this with key partners, including schools and education settings.

If you would like to learn more about physical literacy, please email samantha.lawrence@cornwall.gov.uk

Competitive sport recommendations

Participation in sports competitions can offer numerous benefits for children, both physically and mentally. This includes:

physical fitness
social skills
discipline and time management
routines and structures
goal setting
emotional resilience and emotional regulation
teamwork and leadership
a sense of belonging
building self-esteem and confidence
achievement
decision making and adaptability

Competition can look different for different children. For some, it’s elite competition against others across the country, for others is a competition with their own self to be better than they were yesterday. All competition is valid and worth exploring within your school. What do your children want? Your local Sports Network can support competition between schools and in your local area. But you could also offer competitions within your school or within classrooms.

Take a look at how local schools have used competition in their school.

2:30 minute video

The Cornwall School Games

The School Games, which is funded by Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, is a government led programme designed to deliver competitive school sport to those young people who currently do not get to represent their school in sports and who would benefit from these opportunities the most.

In Cornwall, we will use the School Games as a vehicle to help more young people be physically active who, currently, do not engage with physical activity. We will also target the program at young people who have barriers to accessing physical activity to engage those most at risk of being inactive.

Is your school involved in the Cornwall School Games? Sign up now.

How inclusive is your competition provision?

Inclusive opportunities for all young people is a core principle within the School Games. As such, we have a year of programmes designed to support more children and young people with participation in sport and activity competition. You can also learn more about how to ensure you are offering competition opportunities suitable for all children by visiting the School Games Website.

Swimming recommendations

We know how challenging it can be to offer school swimming for all pupils, particularly when facilities are challenging to access. If you have specific challenges, please contact us to see how we can help. Email abbie.dennison@cornwall.gov.uk

For more information about swimming and water safety lessons in schools, please visit Swimming and Water Safety in Schools | Swim England or email schoolswimming@swimming.org.

Swimming in the Cornwall School Games

The Cornwall School Games includes swimming events every year as part of it’s running programme. This includes swim festivals for children with SEND and swim safe games for primary schools. Please contact your local School Games Organiser or visit our website for more information.

Primary Sport Premium and Swimming Top Ups

Watch this video to learn more about how to use your Primary Sport Premium to support swimming in your school. Watch from 45.48m.

Learn from GLL about school swimming. Watch from 19.17

Healthy lifestyle recommendations

Examples of schools that embed a healthy lifestyle in Cornwall

The Healthy Schools Award

The healthy schools rating scheme has been designed to recognise and encourage schools’ contributions to pupils’ health and wellbeing. It celebrates the positive actions that schools are delivering in terms of healthy eating and physical activity, and aims to help schools identify useful next steps in their provision.

The scheme is part of the Active Lives Survey, which all schools can voluntarily take each year if they are not already sampled. Schools will complete a self-assessment and then receive a rating based on their responses around food education, compliance with the School Food Standards, time spent on physical education and the promotion of active travel.

If you would like to take part in the Active Lives Survey, and therefore possibly receive a Healthy Schools Award, please email abbie.dennison@cornwall.gov.uk

PE curriculum recommendations

Examples of High Quality PE in Cornwall

High-quality PE is an entitlement for all pupils, regardless of their starting points or their prior experiences of sport and physical activity. The national curriculum states:

A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

In PE, pupils learn increasingly intelligent movement and important knowledge that can reduce barriers to participation and inform their own healthy, active lifestyle choices. PE provides a gateway into the world of sport and physical activity.

Since there are a variety of ways that schools can construct and teach a high-quality PE curriculum, it is important to recognise that there is no single way of achieving high-quality PE.

The 2022 PE review explores the literature relating to the field of PE. Its purpose is to identify factors that can contribute to high-quality school PE curriculum, assessment, pedagogy and systems.

Tools

There are number of tools available that can support your curriculum delivery, which are used by many schools in Cornwall. These include:

Active lessons recommendations

Learn more about why you should consider enabling more physical activity during your curriculum time outside of PE.

Teach Active is an organisation that provides schools with lesson plans and resources designed to deliver the Maths and English curriculum through physically active learning.

Teach Active – Active Maths & English Lessons

Healthy Movers is a programme designed by Youth Sport Trust that supports the Early Years and Foundation Stage Curriculum incorporating play and fun into every day.

If you would like to learn more about Healthy Movers, please visit our website or email samantha.lawrence@cornwall.gov.uk

And there are more programmes available that support and enable more movement during lessons.

Active travel recommendations

Encouraging families to actively travel to and from school involves a combination of practical initiatives, educational efforts, and community engagement. Here are several strategies a school can implement to promote active transportation:

1. Create Safe Routes:
– Collaborate with the Active Travel team at Cornwall Council to establish safe walking and cycling routes to the school. Ensure well-maintained pavements, crossings, and bike lanes where possible.
– Conduct safety audits and address any concerns raised by parents regarding the safety of active travel routes.

2. Organise Walking or Biking School Buses:
– Introduce a walking or biking school bus programme where groups of students walk or bike together with adult supervision. This not only enhances safety but also fosters a sense of community.
– Designate meeting points and specific times for the walking or biking groups to gather.

3. Offer Incentives:
– Implement incentive programs such as “Walk to School Wednesdays” or “Bike to School Month”, or take part in national campaigns such as Cycle to School Week or Walk to School Week. Recognise and reward families and students who consistently participate.
– Consider small incentives like stickers, certificates, or even partnering with local businesses for special discounts.

4. Provide Bicycle Education:
– Organise bicycle safety workshops for students and parents. Teach the basics of safe cycling practices, traffic rules, and the importance of wearing helmets.
– Collaborate with local cycling clubs or organisations to provide hands-on training sessions.

5. Integrate Active Travel into Curriculum:
– Incorporate lessons about the benefits of active transportation and environmental consciousness into the curriculum.
– Use real-life examples and case studies to highlight the positive impact of walking or cycling to school on health and the environment.

6. Create a School Travel Plan:
– Develop a comprehensive school travel plan that outlines strategies, goals, and actions to promote active transportation.
– Involve parents, teachers, and students in the planning process to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.

7. Establish Car-Free Zones:
– Designate certain areas around the school as car-free zones during drop-off and pick-up times. This encourages families to park further away and opt for active travel.
– Work with Cornwall Council to implement and enforce these zones.

8. Promote Public Transportation:
– Encourage families to use public transportation if walking or cycling isn’t feasible. Provide information on bus routes, schedules, and safety guidelines.

9. Communicate Regularly:
– Keep open lines of communication with parents through newsletters, school websites, and social media. Share success stories, upcoming events, and relevant information related to active travel.
– Highlight the positive impact of active transportation on health, academic performance, and community building.

10. Engage the Community:
– Collaborate with local community organisations, businesses, and agencies such as Sustrans to garner support for active travel initiatives.
– Host community events, such as neighborhood walks or bike rides, to bring families together and strengthen the sense of community.

By combining these strategies, schools can create a supportive environment that encourages more families to actively travel to and from school, fostering a healthier and more connected school community.

Active Lives Survey Recommendations

The Sport England Active Lives Survey is an online national survey that the government uses to understand how children aged 5-16 engage with sport and physical activity, and the data they gather plays a key role in informing future policy and funding decisions.

The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey offers a fantastic opportunity for teachers and school leaders to see how their provision benefits young people and develop it further, so more pupils have the opportunity to be physically active and enjoy sport.

Ways to use the report:

Include in your annual school report to parents and governors
Share across your staff
Learn which sports are most or least popular with your students to help guide choice and variety or after school clubs
Learn how levels of wellbeing are across your school to help inform decision about whole-school improvement priorities
Spot disparity and help tackle inequalities between students

If you would like to take part in the Active Lives Survey, please email abbie.dennison@cornwall.gov.uk

Student self monitoring recommendations

How can your students monitor their own progress?

It’s important that they set their own goals. They should be individual, achievable and owned by the pupil. Once they have set their own goals, they could track their progress by using a wearable fitness tracker or a paper-based journal or tracker. For the youngest children, charts similar to rewards charts could also be used. Pupils can track all elements of their wellbeing, in addition to just minutes. For example:

number of minutes being active inside and outside of school,
their mood or general feelings of happiness,
minutes of sleep,
amount of water intake,
types of activities undertaken and so on.

They could also monitor their progress and set goals in school sport, for example running speed or jumping height and also their motivation. Do they feel more confident, or do they find sport more enjoyable?

Tracking progress is much more than the minutes or the grades. What do your pupils want to monitor? What’s important to them?

Free Moki Physical Activity Tracker

Moki inspires schools to move more by providing an accurate picture of their physical activity. Using a simple wristband that records a students’ steps and active minutes, Moki offers educators a unique new way to engage children in their health and wellbeing. Measure and motivate the activity of every child in your school, every day with the Moki app. View or print reports with a single click, group students into teams and create custom challenges. You can even invite other Moki schools to take part!

The Moki Band is a durable, water-resistant wristband that records both the number of steps and the minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) performed by the wearer. The Moki Band was designed with no screen, so no distractions!

After your Demo call Moki will send you a 1-month free trial pack giving you the chance to try Moki for yourself. If you are a Primary School in England then you are eligible to purchase Moki products using the PE & Sport Premium government funding.

Minutes of physical activity recommendations

The Chief Medical Officer Guidelines advises that all children aged 5-18 should engage in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity for an average of at least 60 minutes per day across the week. At least 30 minutes of this should be during school hours.

For children with disabilities, the guidance is 20 minutes per day, with no stipulation as to whether this should be inside or outside of school hours.

For your youngest children still aged 4 in reception, this should be 180 minutes per day, again with no stipulation about when this should be.

This can include all forms of activity such as physical education, active travel, break time -school activities, play and sports.

Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers’ report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Physical Activity for Disabled Children and Disabled Young People ...

Community recommendations

Each school can collaborate with their local community in a way that is right for them. Examples of how schools have engaged their local community with their PE, school sport and physical activity are below.

Another great opportunity to connect with local communities is by working with the Time 2 Move Holiday Activity Programme, which connects with local activity providers across the county, including schools.

Family engagement recommendations

Active parents are more likely to have active children. The more sedentary parents are, the more sedentary a child is likely to be.

There are a variety of ways to engage families with a child’s physical activity, these could include:

Display posters at your pick up and drop off points that show activities or support for parents
Add activity opportunities to your online portals and social media pages
Put on stay and play session, parent and child play sessions and activities to give families a chance to play together
Send home activity sheets or ‘homework’ so that parents can build on what you have started in school
Host classes to inspire physical activity for parents
Ask about sibling levels of activity to get a better understanding of wider family activity influence
Signpost parents to local activity opportunities at pick-up and drop-off points or on social media, such as local stay and plays, soft plays, swimming, park activities, clubs, beaches, cycle trails etc.
Offer advice during conversations or offer workshops to help parents support physical development and activity

In addition to the immediate family, it’s also important to collaborate with the local community, which can also help the family and their physical activity levels, which in turn supports the children in your school.

Staff confidence recommendations

All teachers, regardless of their primary subject or specialisation, can benefit from learning more about physical activity. There are several reasons why this is important:

Holistic Education:
- Physical Activity contributes to a holistic education by addressing not only academic development but also physical, social, and emotional aspects. Teachers with knowledge of PE and Physical Activity can contribute to a well-rounded educational experience for their students.
Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle:
- Teachers who can effectively teach PE, sport or physical activity can play a crucial role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among students. They can instill a love for physical activity, helping students develop lifelong habits that contribute to overall well-being.
Comprehensive Skill Development:
- PE involves the development of various skills, including motor skills, coordination, teamwork, and communication. Teachers with PE training can contribute to the comprehensive skill development of students, addressing aspects beyond academic achievement.
Classroom Management:
- Physical activities and movement can positively impact classroom management. Teachers with physical activity training may find it easier to manage student behavior by incorporating physical activity breaks and providing an outlet for excess energy.
Inclusivity and Differentiated Instruction:
- Learning how to teach PE, sport or physical activity equips teachers with the skills to make physical activities inclusive and adaptable to different abilities. This promotes a positive and supportive environment where all students can participate and experience success.
Integration of Movement into Lessons:
- Teachers with PE training can integrate movement and physical activity into their regular lessons. This can enhance the learning experience, as physical activity has been linked to improved concentration, memory, and cognitive function.
Understanding Physical Development:
- Training provides teachers with a better understanding of physical development in children and adolescents. This knowledge allows them to tailor activities to the age and developmental stage of their students.
Positive Teacher-Student Relationships:
- Physical Activity provides opportunities for positive interactions between teachers and students in a different way. This can strengthen teacher-student relationships and contribute to a positive school culture.
Enhanced Creativity and Innovation:
- Teachers who are confident in PE or physical activity can bring new and engaging ideas to the classroom, fostering a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment.

Active classrooms recommendations

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Creating a classroom that enables movement is a great way to support active learning and cater to different learning styles. Here are some practical tips to incorporate movement into the classroom environment:

Flexible Seating Arrangements:
- Use flexible seating options, such as standing desks, stability balls, or even floor cushions.
- Allow students to choose their preferred seating based on comfort and focus.
Active Seating:
- Introduce seating options that promote movement, like wobble stools, balance cushions, or fidget tools.
- These options can help students release excess energy while staying engaged in the learning process.
Brain Breaks:
- Schedule short breaks throughout the day for physical activities or stretches.
- Incorporate quick brain breaks between lessons to re-energise students and improve focus.
Movement Stations:
- Set up movement stations around the classroom with activities like yoga stretches, balance exercises, or simple aerobic movements.
- Students can rotate through these stations during designated times.
Kinesthetic Learning Tools:
- Integrate kinesthetic learning tools, such as whiteboards on easels or large flip charts, to allow students to stand and move while working.
- Use markers or chalk to encourage students to write or draw while standing.
Flexible Lesson Plans:
- Design lessons that incorporate movement, such as role-playing, group activities, or interactive projects.
- Allow students to physically demonstrate concepts to enhance understanding.
Active Learning Games:
- Incorporate educational games that involve movement, such as scavenger hunts, educational relay races, or interactive simulations.
- Use game-based learning platforms that encourage physical participation.
Classroom Layout:
- Arrange furniture to create open spaces for group activities and movement.
- Ensure there is enough room for students to move around without feeling cramped.
Use of Technology:
- Use technology to incorporate movement, such as interactive whiteboards or educational apps that encourage physical interaction.
- Incorporate online resources that allow students to learn through virtual activities and simulations.
Music and Movement:
- Integrate music into lessons to add a dynamic element. Use music for transitions or to signal when it’s time for movement breaks.
- Allow students to move or dance in response to music during designated times.
Outdoor Learning Spaces:
- Whenever possible, take the class outdoors for lessons or activities.
- Outdoor environments provide more space for movement, fresh air, and a change of scenery.
Student-Led Activities:
- Empower students to take the lead in organising movement breaks or activities.
- Allow them to share their favorite quick exercises or stretches with the class.
Mindful Movement Practices:
- Introduce mindfulness activities that involve movement, such as yoga or tai chi.
- These practices can help students relax, improve concentration, and manage stress.

By incorporating movement into the classroom environment, you can create a more dynamic and inclusive learning space that caters to the diverse needs of students. Keep in mind that providing choices and variety in movement options allows students to find what works best for them.

Active school display recommendations

Creating visually appealing and interactive displays in schools can be a great way to encourage your pupils to be active. Here are some creative school display ideas to promote physical activity:

Interactive Fitness Challenge Board:
- Create a large board with different fitness challenges, such as jumping jacks, lunges, or high knees.
- Pupils can use stickers or markers to track their progress as they complete each challenge throughout the week or month.
Activity Calendar:
- Design a colorful and engaging monthly calendar that highlights different physical activities each day.
- Include simple exercises, sports drills, or dance routines that students can do during breaks or lunch time.
Mileage Tracker Wall:
- Set up a display that tracks the collective mileage covered by pupils during activities like walking, running, or cycling.
- Use a map theme to show the distance covered, and update it regularly to encourage friendly competition among classes.
Fitness Quotes Wall:
- Decorate a wall with motivational quotes related to fitness and well-being.
- Include images of athletes and active individuals to inspire and remind students of the importance of physical activity.
Equipment Donation Tree:
- Create a tree display where students and parents can donate gently used sports equipment.
- Encourage a sense of community and sharing, allowing others to access equipment for various activities.
Class Movement Thermometer:
- Design a large thermometer graphic representing a physical activity goal for the entire school or individual classes.
- As students accumulate active minutes, the thermometer “rises,” showing progress toward the goal.
Active Habit Tracker:
- Develop a visually appealing habit tracker where students can mark off days when they engage in physical activities outside of school.
- Encourage them to set personal goals and celebrate achievements as they form active habits.
Obstacle Course Display:
- Design a visual representation of an obstacle course on a wall or bulletin board.
- Include pictures and instructions for various obstacle course elements that students can recreate during lunch or physical education classes.
Sports of the Month Wall:
- Showcase a different sport each month, providing information about the rules, history, and benefits of that particular sport.
- Include posters, images, and even small props related to the featured sport.
DIY Fitness Equipment Wall:
- Display instructions and ideas for creating simple and inexpensive fitness equipment, such as homemade jump ropes, agility cones, or balance boards.
- Encourage students to try creating their own equipment for use during physical activities.
Dance Party Zone:
- Create a designated area with a dance floor and a display featuring different dance styles and tutorials.
- Play upbeat music during breaks, encouraging students to take part in impromptu dance sessions.

Remember to regularly update and refresh these displays to maintain interest and enthusiasm among the pupils and staff. Additionally, involving pupils in the creation and maintenance of these displays can foster a sense of ownership and engagement. Always ensure there are easy-read imagery and other languages available and incorporated so all pupils can access the information.

Active travel plan recommendations

Benefits of active travelling to school.

Implementing an active travel plan for schools can bring about a wide range of benefits for students, families, and the community as a whole. Here are some key advantages:

Improved Physical Health:
- - Active travel plans encourage regular physical activity, such as walking or cycling, which contributes to better cardiovascular health, improved fitness levels, and a reduction in the risk of obesity. This, in turn, can lead to healthier lifestyles and decreased rates of lifestyle-related diseases.
Enhanced Academic Performance:
- - Regular physical activity has been linked to improved cognitive function and academic performance. Students who engage in active travel may experience increased concentration, better problem-solving skills, and a more positive attitude toward learning.
Traffic Safety and Reduced Congestion:
- - Active travel plans often include measures to improve traffic safety around schools, such as designated drop-off and pick-up zones, traffic calming measures, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. This can lead to reduced traffic congestion, making the school environment safer for everyone.
Environmental Benefits:
- Encouraging active travel reduces the carbon footprint associated with commuting by car. This contributes to environmental sustainability by decreasing air pollution and promoting a greener, more eco-friendly community.

Community Building:
- Active travel plans foster a sense of community among students, parents, and school staff. Walking or cycling together creates opportunities for social interaction, building relationships, and strengthening the overall sense of belonging within the school community.

Life Skills Development:
- Participating in active travel requires students to develop essential life skills such as time management, decision-making, and responsibility. Learning to navigate the journey to school independently contributes to the development of self-reliance and a sense of autonomy.

Reduced Stress and Improved Mental Health:
- Active travel, especially in natural surroundings, has been associated with reduced stress levels and improved mental well-being. The physical activity and exposure to fresh air contribute to positive mood, emotional resilience, and a better overall mental health profile.

Parental Involvement:
- - Active travel plans provide opportunities for parents to be actively involved in their child’s daily routine. Parents can participate in walking or biking groups, fostering a stronger connection between the school and families.
Educational Opportunities:
- Implementing active travel plans allows schools to integrate educational components related to health, safety, and environmental awareness into the curriculum. This holistic approach to education helps students develop a broader understanding of their well-being and the world around them.

Positive Public Image:
- Schools with active travel plans often receive positive attention from the community, local authorities, and media. This can enhance the school’s reputation and demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of students and the broader community.

Long-term Lifestyle Habits:
- By instilling the habit of active travel from a young age, schools contribute to the formation of lifelong healthy habits. Students are more likely to continue choosing active modes of transportation as they grow older, promoting sustained health benefits into adulthood.

In summary, active travel plans for schools go beyond promoting physical activity—they contribute to safer environments, stronger communities, and the holistic development of students. These plans align with a broader commitment to health, sustainability, and community engagement, making them a valuable investment for educational institutions.

Visit the Modeshift Stars website to learn more about developing a school Active Travel Plan.

Modeshift Stars – Active Cornwall

Climate emergency recommendations

All Secondary schools in Cornwall have collectively declared a climate emergency and have signed up to the Green Charter and we are now encouraging all primary schools to sign up as well.

Eco Schools is a global programme engaging over 19 million children, making it the largest educational programme on the planet. It provides free resources to help schools work towards international green flag status.

The above map shows which schools in Cornwall have signed up for Eco-school awards or are walking towards it.

You can keep up to date on the activities and initiatives happening in Cornwall as part of the Climate Emergency by visiting the Cornwall Council website:

Bikeability recommendations

Bikeability instructors in Cornwall visit many local schools, delivering government-funded Bikeability training through School Games Organisers such as Arena (based in Callington). All primary school children can expect to have the opportunity to do levels 1 and 2, and some secondary school children will be able to take part in level 3. There is also funding available for some ‘Bikeability Plus’ modules.

The Bikeability website also includes a range of useful resources you can use in school to promote the programme as well as help inspire participation.

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PE, School Sport and Physical Activity recommendations

Embedding PE, school sport, physical activity and play throughout your whole school can have larger benefits that just ensuring your children can throw a ball. It can impact their social, emotional and mental wellbeing, their academic attainment, their physical health, their concentration levels, their ability to rest and relax and their memory.

Watch the 3 minute video below from Youth Sport Trust on the power of an active school.

Camelford Community Primary has used multi-component interventions directed by including the importance of physical activity, PE and school sport in the school development plan. New sports and activities have been introduced, students have been listened to, active lessons and active breaks between lessons and wake and shake, plus monitoring and evaluations conducted on physical and mental health and impact on learning.

Watch this video to see how Camelford Community Primary has achieved this.

Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity

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