Create active environments

Create active environments – good access to, and integration in the school/college day of, open space, forests, parks and playgrounds are positively associated with physical activity levels. Access to a range of equipment, along with non-traditional play materials also support physical activity among children and young people.

 

How to achieve this:

 

Further Information:

 

Cultivate a positive, active environment, both indoors and outdoors to encourage unstructured opportunities to be active

  • This principle is about the whole school environment, not just the PE department or play area.
  • Take into account
    - classrooms and corridors
    - halls
    - outdoor space (onsite - fixed and removeable resources)
    - outdoor space (off site)
Helpful Resources:

teenager smiles in a netball bib and holding a ball, text reads "sport for schools - how to encourage a positive sporting environment" a teacher poses with smiling students doing pe, text reads "active cornwall - education" school children running in the playground text reads "the daily mile" 

 

Reduce barriers to physical activity, how do you encourage children to be active in bad weather, what equipment is available at break and lunch time?

  • Consider your school's current policy when there is wet or extreme weather. Do activities just stop?
    • How might you ensure that pupils have access to fresh air and/or physical activity in those situations?
    • Remind pupil's and parents to provide raincoats/ wellies/overtrousers
    • Agree as a school that break/PE still goes ahead in light rain
    • Have a drying area for wet things & a shoe rack for muddy shoes
    • Provide access to undercover areas or create new ones if needed
    • Open up large spaces (halls, drama studios) during wet break times and/or provide equipment or games for pupil's to access indoors during wet play"