Active Schools Movement

Boosts Learning and Attainment 

Physical activity enhances cognitive function, helping pupils to focus, retain information, and perform better academically—particularly in core subjects like maths and literacy. 

Improves Behaviour and Readiness to Learn 

Movement breaks and active lessons reduce low-level disruption, increase engagement, and create calmer, more productive classrooms. 

Supports Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Regular activity helps pupils manage stress, build resilience, and feel more positive—key foundations for learning and personal development. 

Aligns with Ofsted Priorities 

Promoting physical activity contributes to personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and overall school ethos. 

By embedding 30 active minutes into the school day, you are not just promoting health—you are creating the conditions for every child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. 

To get a different view of the problem, view Dr William Bird's presentation on the dangers sedentary lifestyles  pose for all of us. 

To help schools on their journey to creating active school environments, Active Surrey, in partnership with a team of Education Consultants have written a Shaping Active Schools Framework that can help schools; 

• Take whole school approach to embedding physical activity 

• Address the chief medical officers’ guidelines of 30 active school minutes each day 

• Create a culture of movement and physical activity throughout the school day and beyond 

• Create positive experiences in physical activity, including PE. 

• Improve attitudes and behaviours towards physical activity of staff and pupils 

The Shaping Active Schools Framework is accompanied by a baseline self-evaluation & action plan tool which will help schools through the following. 

• Self-evaluate current provision across the whole school and day 

• Identify SMART actions to shape opportunities across 4 areas (Travel, Play, Class & Home) 

• Identify training needs of staff to better understand the benefits of physical activity on learning 

• Build positive movement habits for life amongst staff and pupils 

An evidence-based guide provides a comprehensive evidence-based toolkit to support and enable schools to shift towards greater levels of movement and physical activity throughout the school day, and the Active School Movement Resource is packed with ideas that schools could adopt and implement. 

Active Schools Movement is an approach and accompanying resource designed support schools with creating a more active and stimulating school environment. Finding everyday ways to get children moving across the school day to help moderate behaviour and improve effort in class.    

The approach concentrates on four areas of the school day that movement moments can be included – Travel, In Class, at Play and At Home. The movement resource provides solutions and ideas to encourage activity throughout the school day and embed a culture of movement matters.    

Pupils, parents and staff can be encouraged to actively travel to school by running, walking, cycling, or scooting.  These active modes of transportation will help establish healthy habits early in life, promotes physical fitness and enhances overall wellbeing.   

By choosing eco-friendly ways of getting to school, it will reduce carbon footprints, contributing to a cleaner environment, set the foundations for a healthier lifestyle and foster a deeper connection to your community and the world around us.  

Incorporating active breakfasts, breaks, and lunch times into the school day offers a host of benefits that positively impact pupils’ health and wellbeing.  Active breakfasts, such as sensory circuits, a quick morning stretch or a short walk, awaken the body and mind, boosting metabolism and alertness.  These activities can kickstart the day and set a positive tone for learning.   

Frequent active breaks throughout the day help to combat the sedentary nature of traditional classroom settings and rejuvenate pupils, enhancing concentration and reducing stress.                  

Active lunch times, featuring opportunities for physical activity before or after eating, contribute to a healthier lifestyle.  It encourages pupils to be more active and engage in play, improving digestion, and preventing post-meal sluggishness as well promoting social interaction which is important for personal development. 

Schools should plan for and provide sustainable opportunities that seek to reduce sedentary behaviour across subjects, providing outdoor learning beyond the classroom as often as possible, as well as increasing pupil awareness on the potential negative impacts of prolonged sitting / screen time on health and wellbeing.

Extending opportunities to be active past the school day, at home encourages social interaction between family members but can lead to a reduction in screen time and time spent indoors.  It also allows parents and carers to support mental health of their children and themselves.