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Reopening of schools vital to boost children’s activity levels
by PSI Media
Lockdown has had an impact on children’s activity levels, so the reopening of schools is an important moment to help increase the amount of sport and activity they’re doing, writes Sport England
The hugely important role played by schools in helping children build a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity is being emphasised as they reopen.
Sport England’s chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “Large numbers of children tell us that not being at school has negatively impacted on their ability to get active.”
So with schools across England now reopening, this is a crucial time to help children increase the amount of sport and activity they’re doing.
Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey shows that when young people play sport and are active, it doesn’t just benefit their physical health.
The survey has given strong evidence that active children are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, and there’s a strong association between young people being active and better mental health.
On top of this, there’s a wealth of evidence that suggests being active has positive benefits on students’ behaviour, attendance and academic results at school.
Children should be encouraged to develop a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity and build habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Activity during school closures
Last year, 46.8 per cent (3.3 million) of children in England were meeting Chief Medical Officer guidelines of an average of 60 minutes of activity per day across a week.
But during lockdown, with schools closed and fewer opportunities to use facilities and play formal sport, these figures dropped significantly.
Data from a Sport England survey over the summer suggests that activity levels fell to less than a fifth (19 per cent) of children meeting the recommended guidelines.
Around 43 per cent of children under the age of 16 were reported to have been doing less than half an hour of physical activity a day.
Most worryingly, around 1 in 14 (seven per cent) children aged 7-16 said they did nothing to stay active in lockdown.
Amongst those that said their physical activity was different to normal, the barriers were reported to be either related to lack of access to their usual space or place, or concerns about the virus.
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More than one in three said their activity had changed because their usual clubs, leisure centres, gyms and classes were closed (36 per cent), while 24 per cent said it was because their local playground, skate park, pitch or court was closed (24 per cent).
One in six said that their parents / carers were too worried about coronavirus to let them leave home (16 per cent), and one in seven were too worried about the virus themselves to leave home (14 per cent).
Meanwhile a separate survey of children conducted with Childwise in May found a third said the absence of school during the height of the pandemic had a major impact on their ability to be active.
Tim said: “We want children to develop a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity and build habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
“We know that both parents and teachers are under pressure in so many areas right now, but our message would be that their role is absolutely vital in supporting our children to be more active and in turn healthier and more resilient. This can be through encouraging children to walk or cycle to school safely, making break times and lessons active or delivering PE sessions that children want and enjoy, it all counts.”
Inequalities
The research showed that teenage girls, Black, Asian and poorer children are relying more than others on ‘at school’ provision to be physically active in their everyday lives.
According to their parents, children from less affluent families are more likely to have done nothing during lockdown (13 per cent) compared to those from more affluent backgrounds (six per cent).
Secondary age children (nine per cent) are more likely to say they’re doing nothing to stay active during lockdown than primary age children (five per cent).
Amongst those that said that the sport and exercise they are currently doing is different to normal, over a third (36 per cent) said it was becuase they don’t have as much chance to be physically active as when they are not at school.
Of those who said they aren’t doing any sport or exserices in lockdown, the data indicates that around 1/5 of those put it down to not going to school.
One boy in school year 5-6 said: “I usually ride my bike to school but now I have nowhere to ride my bike. I used to play football with my friends in school and now I can’t even see my friends.”
A girl in year 5-6 commented: “I do not have the same equipment they have at school for PE or sports so I cannot do what I usually do at school.”
This makes clear the vitally important role that school settings play in supporting children to be active, from informal play right through to formal team sport.
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Active play levels fell
Where active play is usually the top activity for primary school children (72 per cent) and the second for those at secondary school (49 per cent), the figures fell to 59 per cent for years 3-6 and just 32 per cent for years 7-11. Although those from more affluent backgrounds are more likely to say they are playing to stay active than those from less affluent backgrounds (43 per cent vs 37 per cent), the findings suggest children from all backgrounds played less than usual in lockdown.
This doesn’t come as a great surprise, given the close of play spaces and the lack of opportunities to play with friends. But it is cause for concern that when we know playing is so central to keeping children active, regardless of affluence, ethnicity, gender or ability.
Giving children space for activity Commenting in the foreword of the research, Jayne Molyneux, director of children and young people said: “We need to ensure all young people have the space or a place to be active - whether that be dedicated sports facilities, community spaces or parks and playgrounds.
“Given the increased pressure on schools to make space for social distancing, we hope schools set aside the space for physical activity and dedicate time for children and young people to take part in physical education, school sport, physical activity and play.
“Equally, we need to recognise that some children and young people will be anxious about returning to sport or activity, so we must reassure them by making sessions safe and enjoyable.”
Investing in children’s activity
Recognising the important role schools play in supporting children to be more active and healthier, alongside the government, Sport England has been investing directly into children’s activity and sport in school settings in recent years, including through the School Sport and Activity Action Plan and PE and Sport Premium.
Some £13.5 million has gone into a secondary teacher training programme, offering professional development opportunities to staff in over 2,000 schools across England to help put pupil’s needs and enjoyment at the heart of PE and school sport, while £26m has been invested into Satellite Clubs to engage children and young people in sport outside the school day and over £16m is supporting the School Games.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Schools and teachers are working incredibly hard to reopen safely and we will support them in helping children get fit and healthy as they return.
“Playing sport and being active is vital for young people’s physical and mental health, whilst also improving behaviour and concentration. Sport is a crucial part of school life, and now more so than ever.”
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Read the Sport England research here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/9572ae7c-2e62-4d85-99ee-827f6a535e8d
PE and Sport Premium confirmed for next year
Education secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that £320m funding for the PE and Sport Premium will continue next year. Gavin Williamson, said: “During these challenging times, it has become clearer to me than ever the importance of keeping active and how it benefits not just our physical health but also our ability to pay attention, our mood and our mental health too.
“Every family will have had a different experience of the pandemic, and I know that many children will have missed time spent outdoors with their friends – that’s why it’s so important that ahead of a full return to school in September, schools get the certainty they need to prepare their PE and sports activities for next year.”
The Department for Education has also confirmed that any PE and Sport Premium funding from the current academic year (2019- 20) that schools were unable to use as a result of the coronavirus pandemic can be brought forward to use in the next academic year, giving school leaders an opportunity to develop or add to their existing provision, or to make improvements that will benefit pupils joining the school in future years.
The PE and Sport Premium is a ring-fenced grant for English primary schools to provide additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE, sport and physical activity. Allocations to schools are determined by a formula based on pupil numbers. The average one form entry primary school will receive roughly £18,000 per year.
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