Healthy Schools
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Physical Activity 


How can physical activity enhance your school?

When pupils of any age are taught about physical activity, they are able to make informed choices about their health by having a greater understanding of how their bodies function.  They have the knowledge to establish positive patterns of behaviour, which can have long-term health benefits and a positive impact on obesity later in life and are able to take more responsibility for their safety and the safety of others 


Where physical activity is encouraged pupils are supported in their emotional development and are helped to develop a positive self-image giving them a sense of control and respect of their own bodies. It also helps reduce health risks and enhancing long-term health benefits. 

Research also shows that there is a positive correlation between physical activity and academic achievements, as well as an improvement in children's behaviour and the development of social interaction skills. 

Physical Activity and Healthy Schools


  A healthy school promotes physical activity by providing a range of opportunities for children and young people to be physically active. It understands the importance of physical activity to assist in raising levels of pupil achievement and improving standards. It also recognises the need to provide both a physical environment that promotes physical activity.  A healthy school recognises that providing physical activity opportunities should be in areas of school life other than PE and sport.

NHSS Criteria for Physical Activity
1. Provides clear leadership and management to develop and monitor its physical activity policy
2. Has a whole-school physical activity policy – developed through wide consultation, implemented, monitored and evaluated for impact
3. Ensures a minimum 2 hours of structured physical activity each week to all of its children/young people in or outside the school curriculum
4. Provides opportunities for all children/young people to participate in a broad range of extra curricular activities that promote physical activity
5. Consults with children/young people about the physical activity opportunities offered by the school, identifies barriers to participation and seeks to remove them
6. Involves Schools Sport Co-ordinators (where available) and other community resources in provision of activities
7. Encourages children/young people, parents/ carers and staff to walk or cycle to school under safer conditions, utilising the school travel plan
8. Gives parents/carers the opportunity to be involved  in the planning and delivery of physical activity opportunities and helps them to understand the benefits of physical activity for themselves and their children
9. Ensures that there is appropriate training provided for those involved in providing physical activities
10. Encourages all staff to undertake physical activity

Physical Activity Section of the website includes:

  Criteria
Criteria and minimum evidence required to achieve NHSS, including links to Ofsted Self Evaluation Form. 
  Outcomes
Qualitative and quantitative outcome examples needed for the NHHS process. 
  Guidance
Documents and information related to the Physical Activity core theme, that schools may find useful. 
  Policies
Link to the policies section, providing guidance for creating policies. 
  Training
Link to the training section, outlining available training opportunities in Derbyshire and in school for staff and pupils. 
  Resources/Projects
Local and national resources or projects linked to the Physical Activity core theme.
Case Studies
Link to the case studies section, where Derbyshire Schools and the Health Promoting Schools team share projects and practice that have promoted health and wellbeing.
Related Initiatives
Local and national initiatives information, that contribute towards the Physical Activity core theme.
Web Links
Link to a list of useful external websites.