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:

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

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:

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"