From 1 August 2026, Safe Practice in Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) will become an exclusive benefit of afPE membership.

The Safe Practice resource will no longer be available to purchase as a standalone licence, and existing standalone licences will not be renewable once their current subscription expires. Any current live accounts will continue to be honoured and remain accessible until their existing expiry date.

As part of afPE membership, members will continue to have access to this essential online resource alongside a wide range of additional membership benefits.

To explore the available afPE membership options and find out more about what is included, please visit our membership information on the afPE website.

Explore Memberships Here

If you have any questions about this change, or would like support in choosing the right membership option for you or your organisation, please contact the afPE team.

The Department for Education has announced an uplift to the one-off transition payment from £100 million to £150 million for the 2026/27 academic year.

Schools will receive this funding in Autumn 2026 through existing PE and Sport Premium funding allocations. While the partnerships network will begin delivery from April 2027, schools will be able to spend this funding throughout the 2026/27 academic year.

The Department for Education has also confirmed that updated guidance, the funding formula and Conditions of Grant will be published at the start of the academic year, as normal, in September.

Please read the Department for Education's full update for further information: https://news.service.education.gov.uk/ph75/send/u7j-84hj9

Sports days, Physical Education lessons, physical activity, sports fixtures, Educational Off-Site Visits

Do not proceed with sports day in an area with a red weather warning in place

• Postpone or cancel the event
• Avoid all strenuous physical activity outdoors
• Focus on pupil and staff safety above all else

Why

• High risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially in children
• Sustained heat and humidity reduce the body’s ability to cool
• Large-group outdoor events increase exposure time and safeguarding risks
• Emergency services may already be under pressure

An Amber alert has been issued for some places in England including the North West

What this means for schools

High temperatures and humidity will increase risks to all pupils and staff, particularly during PE lessons, sports days, outdoor activities and educational visits. Effects can include dehydration, heat exhaustion, reduced concentration, and increased safeguarding risks.

Key Expectations for Physical Activity and Educational Visits in an area with an amber weather warning in place

1. Review and adapt activity

• Avoid strenuous activity, particularly between 11am–3pm
• Adapt, shorten or cancel PE lessons, sports days, fixtures and visits where risks cannot be safely managed
• Consider indoor alternatives or less physically demanding activities

2. Prioritise hydration and cooling

• Ensure free and regular access to water at all times
• Build in frequent rest and cooling breaks
• Maximise use of shade and cooler spaces

3. Adjust clothing and equipment

• Relax uniform/kit expectations
• Encourage lightweight clothing, hats and sunscreen (SPF 30+)

4. Strengthen supervision and safeguarding

• Increase staff awareness of heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms
• Monitor more closely:
• Younger pupils
• Pupils with SEND or medical conditions
• Ensure appropriate staffing ratios and supervision, especially for off-site visits

5. Educational visits and outdoor learning

• Review all visits and only proceed where risks are well controlled
• Check:
• Access to shade, water, and first aid
• Transport ventilation/cooling
• Be mindful that water activities carry added risk in hot weather, including cold-water shock

6. Indoor environments

• Ventilate early in the day and use blinds to reduce heat gain
• Relocate activities to cooler areas where possible

What everyone can do

• Stay hydrated (avoid excess caffeine)
• Keep out of the sun between 11am and 4pm where possible
• Use sun protection and hats when outdoors
• Avoid vigorous activity during peak heat
• Check on more vulnerable individuals

We expect further information on the full implications and operational details of the funding in due course, and we will communicate these to the sector as soon as we are able. Our priority remains supporting schools and practitioners through this transition and ensuring that high quality PE continues to thrive.”

Thank you so much for considering nominating a PE teacher for the wonderful work they do.

We hear stories every day about that one PE teacher who gave an individual an opportunity, an experience, invested time in them, supported them, encouraged them and inspired them to be the very best version of themselves. For some young people these interactions have been life changing. These PE teachers have helped shaped lives through their lessons and extra-curricular opportunities, some have helped a child’s physical and mental wellbeing, others developed their life skills and others have just given a child a chance.

Letters of support

Supporting letters are crucial in the nomination process. The letters tell the story.

It is important that the letter has a strong impactful start that draws the reader in, not too detailed but an impactful statement that includes;

• Why this PE teacher is exceptional
• How they go above and beyond
• Their commitment to young people
• The time they put into extra curricular/school sport/physical activity
• How they have changed young peoples lives through PE, school sport and physical activity opportunities.
• Why they should be recognised

The next couple of paragraphs is where the detail comes and should include;

• What they have done
• Who they have impacted
• A personal story
• Why they have made such a difference, data/stats and quotes
• Why they are special and how they have encouraged/supported others
• How their time and commitment has impacted a school/community

A strong finish to summarise.

Nominate someone for an honour or award: Nominate someone who lives and contributes in the UK - GOV.UK

To find out more, click here.

He wished head coach Sarina Wiegman and the rest of the squad good luck ahead of their first match – telling them the whole nation is behind them. 

The visit comes alongside new plans to give every child across the country equal access to high quality PE and sport as the government announces a new approach to school activity.

This will ensure schools have a new framework that will include a clear focus on equal access and two hours per week of physical education. Each school’s offering will be publicly available. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

"I speak for the entire nation when I say good luck to our Lionesses for this summer’s Euros. We will be behind you every step of the way.  

Not only have you made history, but you have inspired the next generation to find a sport they love. That’s why I’m delighted we are delivering on your call to ensure they have the opportunity to go on and play – maybe even for England one day."

A national network will be developed to build strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies to identify and break down barriers to sport for children who are less active, primarily girls and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

It will be supported by a new Enrichment Framework to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality extra-curricular activities – including football and other sports. 

Read more here.

afPE CEO, Kate Thornton-Bousfield said: "We know that two hours of high quality PE is essential and that it can be life changing. That's why we're so delighted to see the Government take very seriously the evidence that there is a need to put PE at the heart of school life. The changes announced today are the culmination of a lot of hard work from those within government and from across the PE and sport sector. I am really hopeful that this marks a step change in bringing high quality, inclusive and engaging PE and sport experiences to every young person. For me, there are two ingredients to the success of this welcome approach - first that it is genuinely co-created, in a spirit of partnership and secondly that it is responsive to local needs, and sensitive to the fact that every local context is different. To hear the Prime Minister talk about and clearly understand the need for particular focus on young people with SEND as well as young women and girls was particularly welcome today". 

afPE CEO, Kate Thornton-Bousfield said: "We know that two hours of high quality PE is essential and that it can be life changing. That's why we're so delighted to see the Government take very seriously the evidence that there is a need to put PE at the heart of school life. The changes announced today are the culmination of a lot of hard work from those within government and from across the PE and sport sector. I am really hopeful that this marks a step change in bringing high quality, inclusive and engaging PE and sport experiences to every young person. For me, there are two ingredients to the success of this welcome approach - first that it is genuinely co-created, in a spirit of partnership and secondly that it is responsive to local needs, and sensitive to the fact that every local context is different. To hear the Prime Minister talk about and clearly understand the need for particular focus on young people with SEND as well as young women and girls was particularly welcome today". 

Alongside the announcement last week, this development promises an improved approach to partnership working, better co-ordination and a clearer mechanism for accountability, including through a new Enrichment Framework, supporting the PE profession to deliver two hours of high quality PE in every school. This work is taking place alongside a wider review of the curriculum and afPE is looking forward to continuing to support and work with colleagues in government and across the PE and school sport sector.  

Please follow this link to access the Digital Reporting Form Webinar guidance video.

Sign into your DfE account HERE to complete this document.

If you need any further support, please contact us.

For the past 12 years we have talked about sustainable solutions, yet in the past 10 months we have observed panic in schools around how they will continue to improve opportunities and experiences without the funding.

Over the past 24 hours activity and posting on social media by companies offering their services has been quite overwhelming for teachers and leaders of PE.

Please can we remind all schools that the guidance document around next year’s funding has not yet been published and the use of this funding should be in line with priorities identified in your school improvement plan following your evaluation of the impact the funding has had this year.

Your sustainable solution is your school workforce and your teachers. Before you commit and sign contracts with private providers please do consider what your class teachers need in order to be able to deliver high quality PE.

Please do remember the funding should be used in an effective and sustainable way.

Schools should consider their workforce and how they can deliver PE internally without having to rely on external providers.

1. Since 2013 over £3billion has been paid out in PE and Sport Premium funding.
2. The PE and sport premium helps all eligible primary schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the PE, sport, and physical activity they provide. 
3. During the 24/25 academic year over 18,000 schools and 3.9m pupils benefitted from the PE and Sport premium funding.

Please let the focus of the funding be on sustainable high-level delivery for physical education and school sport and consider your approach to spending the funding. The Association for Physical Education as the subject association are here to support you.

Funding remains at its current level, £320million for the academic year and will continue to be paid to all eligible schools. The funding will be paid in two tranches, one this Autumn, with the following payment be paid in Spring 2026.

Kate Thornton-Bousfield, afPE CEO said "Like many others, I am breathing a big sigh of relief at this news, this investment is absolutely vital to our profession and, more importantly to our ability to deliver for young people in every school. This is testament to the hard work of our members and the wider profession, who share our ambition to move when we can to a longer term investment through the Primary PE and sport premium to allow for continuity, planning and for a focus on the future".

afPE is awaiting with great interest news on the wider levels of investment into schools and the teaching workforce. In particular, we are welcoming increased attention, understanding and investment from the Government around the particular challenges facing SEND children and young people. We are delighted to have been successful in having been named as an Inclusion 2028 delivery partner and take very seriously our responsibilities to do everything we can to improve the experiences of PE for every young person making our subject inclusive, safe and of high quality.

Find out more - Primary PE and sport premium

As part of the upcoming changes to the Primary PE and Sport Premium, the Department for Education (DfE), in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust (YST) and afPE, will be hosting a webinar to introduce the new mandatory digital reporting tool.

This important session will provide schools and stakeholders with an overview of the tool, its purpose, and how it will be used to report on the use and impact of the Primary PE and Sport Premium funding.

Have Questions? We Want to Hear from You

To ensure we address the most relevant and pressing queries during the webinar, we are inviting schools and professionals to submit their questions in advance.

Please submit any questions you have regarding the digital reporting tool by Monday 9 June 2025. Your input will help shape the content of the webinar and ensure it meets the needs of those working directly with the premium.

Questions can be submitted after the webinar as well. We will be collating all questions submitted before and after the session and, in collaboration with the DfE and YST, will produce a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to support schools moving forward.

Webinar Details:

📅 Date: Thursday 12th June 2025 
⏰ Time: 4PM - 5:15PM
📍 Online

This new reporting process represents a key step forward in increasing transparency, consistency, and accountability across the sector. We encourage all schools making use of the Primary PE and Sport Premium to engage with this session and take the opportunity to gain clarity on how to implement the tool effectively.

Stay tuned for confirmed webinar details and booking information.

For now, please ask all questions through the form here.

Key aspects of our CPD programs include:

• Workshops & Training Sessions: Hands-on sessions focusing on innovative teaching strategies, new curriculum updates, and engaging physical activities.
• Online Courses & Webinars: Flexible, accessible courses on a variety of topics such as assessment techniques, inclusive education, and the integration of technology in Physical Education.
• Certificated Programmes: Accredited qualifications that allow educators to deepen their expertise and demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional growth.
• Conferences & Networking Events: Opportunities to connect with peers, share best practices, and stay informed about the latest developments in the field.
• Mentorship & Support: Personalised guidance from experienced professionals to help educators navigate challenges and grow in their careers.

Some of afPE's CPD Opportunities:

• Early Years Motor Screening Programme
• Gymnastics in the Primary School
• Level 2 in Supporting Learning in Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity
• Level 3 in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity.
• Level 4 Qualification in Supporting Pupils' Wellbeing Through Physical Education
• Level 5/6 Primary School PE Specialism and PE Subject Leadership
• British Gymnastics Physical Education Teachers Trampoline Award
  

These initiatives aim to empower Physical Education professionals, helping them to inspire and lead students in their physical and personal development.

New guidance will help to design activity into our neighbourhoods and reduce congestion on the roads during school run times.

Millions more school runs across the country can now be transformed to be healthier, safer, greener and more active, thanks to new government guidelines published today (19 November 2024).

The guidance, published by Active Travel England and the Department for Transport, outlines how councils can better deliver school street schemes, so that they work best for pupils and staff as well as local businesses and residents.

A School Street temporarily only allows motor traffic with a permit outside the school gates at pick up and drop off times. This creates a safer space for children and their families to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school, bringing a wealth of benefits to both school pupils and residents, including:

• improved physical and mental health for schoolchildren
• reduced cases of dangerous driving, parking and turning outside schools during school run times
• more children staying active by walking, wheeling or cycling to school, which in turn reduces traffic in the local area during school drop off and pick up
• more opportunities for social interactions on the way to school, and more independence for older pupils
• reduction in emissions around schools

There are already hundreds of School Streets funded across the country, including more than 180 funded by the government’s Active Travel Fund.

Today’s guidance also cites research and evidence from the Road Safety Trust, which shows these schemes increase active travel on the school run, are supported by most parents and residents in the nearby community, and do not cause significant road safety issues through traffic displacement.

It comes after recent research commissioned by ATE found that 85% of people in England support active travel and would like to do more, while data from charity Sustrans has previously found that 4 out of 5 children want to walk or cycle to school.

Read more on the new guidance here.

On World Children’s Day, Intelligent Health brings urgent focus to the state of childhood independence. Children’s health, wellbeing and development are being severely impacted by lack of action to address the barriers to independent mobility and outdoor play. 

Childhood independence, marked by milestones like walking to school alone or playing outside unsupervised, is a crucial aspect of growing up. These experiences foster resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills, preparing children for the complexities of adulthood. Yet, recent data from Beat the Street, a nationwide community engagement programme, reveals significant shifts in how children experience independence today.  

Developed by Intelligent Health, Beat the Street has engaged over 1.9 million participants working with councils and national partners. It has been designed to enhance connections between people and their environment. For children it helps build independence, confidence and movement.

Founded on a strong belief that health begins where people live, work and play, Intelligent Health aims to build active and connected communities through evidence-based programmes. 

Recent findings show a dramatic decline in children’s independent mobility over the last five decades. In 1971, 86% of primary school children in England travelled home alone; by 2013, this had dropped to 25%. Intelligent Health conducted insight into independence with Dr Helen Dodd in order to explore the relationship between children’s independence, resilience and wellbeing. Through Beat the Street, Intelligent Health has collected 7125 responses from children. Yet, Beat the Street findings highlight that only 17.7% of children aged 11 and under now walk or cycle home without adult supervision.  

Read more here.

Swim:ED are pleased to share their Swim:ED Impact Report 2023-24 which details Swim:ED's profound impact on children across the UK. Thanks to support from numerous people and collaboration with organisations nationwide, they've made remarkable strides in expanding children's access to essential swimming and water safety education. 

Key highlights

Swim:ED's mission to provide on-site swimming education is more critical than ever, and this year's report illustrates the success of the programme: 

• Since its launch, Swim:ED has reached over 7,500 children and continues to grow. 

• 83.2% of children made progress in at least one of the national curriculum outcomes for swimming and water safety. 

• The report includes school stories that show how Swim:ED builds children's confidence and life-saving skills while removing barriers to swim education. 

The insights from this report underscore the value and impact of our stakeholder's involvement with Swim:ED. Together, we're closing the gap in swim education access, particularly for children in underserved communities. As they look ahead, they're eager to strengthen their partnership and explore new ways to expand Swim:ED's reach. 

Download the report here.

UK Coaching has revealed the finalists for the 2024 UK Coaching Awards, with winners to be announced at the prestigious event due to take place on 10 December.

Following a remarkable year of sport, with the nation captivated by the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the event is an opportunity to celebrate great coaching from community settings to the world stage as well as highlighting the remarkable contributions coaches make to health, happiness and well-being of the people and communities they coach.

The UK Coaching Awards is regarded as the most prestigious event within the coaching community and celebrates coaches at all levels across the nation. From the elite to the grassroots, they were established to recognise the invaluable role coaches play in building a happier and healthier society – whether masterminding a gold medal moment that can inspire thousands, or turning up week in, week out to support participants at a community sports club.

With previous award winners including Judy Murray and Aston Moore (Lifetime Achievement award), Sarina Wiegman (Great Coaching Moment of the Year), and the coaches behind Lucy Bronze and Ben Stokes’ path to success (Coaching Chain award), the awards reflect the unforgettable coaching highlights of each year and the tireless work that goes on behind the scenes.

From all the nominations, a judging panel has selected the following finalists.

Change a Life Award, supported by Sport England

• John D’Ambrosio
• Dr Nana Badu
• Thomas Jones

Coach Developer of the Year, supported by British Gymnastics

• David Smith
• Kevin Badu
• Lisa Williams

Community Coach of the Year (Adults), supported by Sport England

• Aura Chacón Godoy
• Claire Lambton
• Elena Rodolfi

Community Coach of the Year (Children and Young People), supported by Children’s Coaching Collaborative / Play Their Way

• Edward Colman-Roberts
• Hannah Vines
• Kiran Wiltshire

High Performance Coach of the Year

• Adam Elliott
• Karen Jane Thorpe
• Trevor Painter

Online Coach of the Year

• Louise Walden-Edwards
• Robert Mayes
• Valentina de Pascale

Talent Development Coach of the Year

• Mark Stevenson
• Oleksandra Shkoda
• Simone Gould

Young Coach of the Year

• Chauncey Taylor
• Jennifer Mendonca
• Zain Khan

Inclusive Coaching

• Coach Core Foundation
• Dr Rashmi Becker
• Sense Active Sensory Sport Programme

Coach Developer of the Year

• David Smith
• Kevin Badu
• Lisa Williams

UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon, reflected on the breadth of coaching talent announced as this year’s finalists. He said:

“We are very excited to announce the finalists of the 2024 UK Coaching Awards. Each year we see true excellence from our coaches in the UK at every level, and it is a welcome challenge to select our finalists.

“Coaches across the nation can all be proud of the incredible contribution they make to health and well-being in the UK.

“We’ve made some exciting changes to this year’s event and following the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games this year we look forward to welcoming some special guests from Team GB.”

The awards will be held on 10 December at The Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Find out more about this year’s finalists and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards

The Premier League has teamed up with the Anti-Bullying Alliance to launch ‘Choose Respect’, a free, curriculum-linked teaching resource aimed at supporting schools in promoting respect and tackling bullying. Available for download on the Premier League Primary Stars website from the 6^th November launch date, the resource is designed for teachers of children aged 7-11 and uses football-themed activities to spark classroom discussions on respect for all, regardless of gender, race, or ability.

Key features of the ‘Choose Respect’ teaching pack include:

1. Interactive lesson plans that encourage pupils to reflect on their behaviour and build respectful relationships.
2. Football scenarios that emphasise respect both on and off the pitch.
3. Practical worksheets to help children understand and apply key concepts in their daily lives.
4. A film reinforcing positive behaviour, accompanied by a word bank of terms such as acceptance and conflict.

This new resource is part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which has been providing teachers with free, high-quality materials across a range of subjects since 2017. With over 650 resources available, Primary Stars aims to harness children’s love of football to promote active learning and essential life skills.

You can find more information and see their full array of resources here: https://plprimarystars.com

The Outdoor Classroom is the all-in-one digital toolkit for orienteering and outdoor learning and is available entirely free of charge to inspire schools to increase their physical activity and help to build a happier, healthier society. Our paid system is also available for schools looking to fully embrace an active education right across the curriculum and unlock the full potential of their school site.

Our innovative one-click automatic course planner makes it effortless to plan orienteering courses without any prior experience of the sport and take learning outside in a few quick clicks. Activities are presented in a variety of formats, making it inclusive and accessible for all learning styles. The ultra versatile system supports unlimited applications, from CPD sessions and teacher training to extra-curricular clubs and inter-school sports competitions. Every activity is logged digitally and compiled in easy to read reports and dashboards, making it straightforward to evidence the impact of orienteering and outdoor learning.

Our annual free-to-enter competition, The Big League, offers schools the opportunity to compete on a national level without leaving their own school site, and is backed by British Orienteering and The British Schools Orienteering Association, who generously donate prizes for the category winners.

Get in touch and speak to our outdoor learning experts to find out how The Outdoor Classroom can benefit your school and make learning active across the curriculum.

Schools can sign up for FREE here.

Cross-Curricular Orienteering are thrilled to announce that they are now an official 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿.

This recognition reaffirms their commitment to delivering high-quality, age- and stage-appropriate orienteering experiences within the education sector, while also signposting participants to ongoing local orienteering opportunities.

As a Recognised Delivery Partner, Cross-Curricular Orienteering align with British Orienteering’s vision that every child’s experience of orienteering should be fun, exciting, and adventurous.

This partnership also guarantees that their staff are highly trained (with their team made up of 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟮+ 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀), their resources are top-notch, and our safety policies are robust, ensuring all schools receive the very best orienteering provision, both in and out of school.

Cross-Curricular Orienteering are proud to join British Orienteering in promoting the sport positively and increasing participation across schools nationwide.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

At Cross-Curricular Orienteering, we blend the excitement of orienteering and OAA with the power of physically active learning (PAL). Our mission is to provide teachers with the tools to inspire and engage students of all ages through innovative OAA and physical activities that enhance learning across the curriculum.

Visit https://www.crosscurricularorienteering.co.uk/ to see everything we offer.

Or schedule a free web demo to discuss how we can support your school https://www.crosscurricularorienteering.co.uk/webinar.../

We offer a wide range of products, services, and packages, including:

𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹

- Over 600 active lessons available.

- Orienteering in PE (OAA) schemes for each year group, from EYFS to Y6, with secondary school schemes also available – progressive and skills-based.

- Physically active learning (PAL) lessons for Maths, English, Phonics, Science, Geography, History, PSHE, Art, Music, RE, and seasonal topics (e.g., World Mental Health Day).

- Weekly active Maths lessons aligned with White Rose Maths steps for learning, providing full curriculum coverage.

𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

- Permanent orienteering courses with 25-50 permanent metal control markers, including our QR code system.

- Portable Cross-Curricular Orienteering courses with 300+ control markers available for KS1, KS2, and KS3, including our QR code system.

𝗕𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗽𝘀

- Inline with British Orienteering mapping specifications.

- Includes permanent course maps and interactive drag-and-drop maps.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A mix of permanent and portable courses to keep students challenged and engaged by introducing variety and adaptability.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

In-person and online options available.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀

Inspire your pupils with our expert-led experience days, including:

- Orienteering Launch Day

- Electronic Timing Day

- Young Leaders Training: Delivering Breaktime Activities

- Christmas Cracker

- Easter Extravaganza

- Cross-Curricular Themed Days

A range of new educational resources focusing on female health are being developed by Swim England.

The resources are being produced to support females at all levels and ages to continue to enjoy the water.

Some of the initial topics that will be covered will include:

• The menstrual cycle
• Female nutrition
• Pelvic floor
• Contraception
• Menopause

The work is being led by Swim England’s sports science and medicine manager, Diane Elliot, who has been working with relevant practitioners and experts on each resource.

Craig Robertson, Swim England sports scientist, has helped to produce the information around the menstrual cycle while Josh Dyson, Swim England performance nutritionist, has provided specific female nutrition information.

Physiotherapist for Swim England, Lisa Sharratt, has worked on the pelvic floor resource while the subject of menopause has been covered by specialist, Lucy Thompson.

For the topic of contraception, the national governing body has collaborated with sport and exercise medicine consultant and the chief medical officer for Aquatics GB, Dr Kate Jordan.

A range of further topics will be covered going forward and will all be available in the new female health section on the Swim England website.

Important resources

Speaking on the work Elliot said: “Swim England is committed to ensuring everyone feels comfortable getting in the water and we are creating these resources to help these efforts.

“Some of these topics can be sensitive areas and can often stop women from taking part in aquatics or any kind of physical activity, which shouldn’t be the case.

“No one should feel as though they cannot get into the water so it’s important that these resources are developed and are available so that people can get the support they need.

“We hope that pulling together this information will equip athletes both competitive and recreational with the knowledge and tools they need to continue their aquatics journey.”

The first of our female health resources on the menstrual cycle will be launched this month.

The female health athlete group are also looking at stories of best practice across the country to highlight some great work that is already being done by clubs and individuals to create a great place for women and girls to participate in our sports. To share your story, please contact Diane.

New research released on International Day of the Girl by children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, highlights the deepening crisis of confidence girls face when they hit puberty, and the increasing impact of this on their physical activity levels and wellbeing throughout their teenage years and into adulthood.

Most girls in the UK begin their period at around 12 years of age, the age where their confidence to take part in and enjoyment of PE decline rapidly - according to this year’s Youth Sport Trust Girls Active survey. Meanwhile the same survey has shown boys' experiences and attitudes remain relatively consistent across all age groups.

The Youth Sport Trust Girls Active survey is funded by Sport England National Lottery Funding and has been running since 2016, and this year received responses from more than 15,000 girls and boys aged between 7 and 18. Key findings from this year’s survey showed:

• The number of girls enjoying PE drops dramatically throughout school life. 86% of girls aged 7 to 8 enjoy PE, compared to 56% of girls aged 14 to 15.
• 46% of girls aged 14-15 report a lack of confidence stops them being physically active compared to 26% of girls aged 7-8.
• PE kit continues to be a contentious issue for girls, particularly around the onset of puberty. Just 23% of girls aged 14 to 15 feel confident in their PE kit, in contrast to 65% of girls aged 7 to 8.
• 61% of girls aged 11 and over worry about leaking in their PE kit and 58% of girls this age would like to have more PE kit options to choose from.

Alongside more flexible kit options, girls also want more empathy and support from teachers, coaches and peers to encourage them to continue participating. 42% of girls aged 11 and over do not feel comfortable at all talking to their PE teacher about their period, despite the impact it is having on their confidence to participate. The Youth Sport Trust’s Girls Active programme aims to tackle the barriers girls experience and helps to build a movement of girls and young women in primary and secondary schools, empowering them to take positive action through influencing, leading, and inspiring their peers. Results show 97% of leaders and 58% of participants across the programme felt more confident to take part in sport and physical activity.

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust said:

‘Sadly we are not currently getting it right for girls in the UK when it comes to providing positive experiences of PE, Sport and Play in schools.

‘We must proactively support girls through puberty, listening to and responding to their needs if we are to build their confidence and capability. Without this support, we know their experiences at school can alienate them from sport and physical activity for life. For too long, society has pressured girls to minimise the effects of puberty and ‘keep calm and carry on’, an attitude which can instil a deep sense of shame, with consequences for how they feel about physical activity and sport.

‘Also amplified by this new research is a message from young women and girls. They want to do more physical activity in school, and are particularly motivated by fun and friendship alongside being fit and healthy.

The Youth Sport Trust is committed to ensuring all children and young people enjoy the life changing benefits that come from play and sport but as the new Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson has rightly stated, “the health benefits of sport and play are obvious, and for girls in particular, focusing on what they can achieve helps them develop.”

The Girls Active programme which has been developed and evolved over two decades offers a blueprint for all schools and we are constantly seeking new partners and funders to help extend the reach of the programme.”

The Youth Sport Trust and LEGO Group are proud to be working together to tackle barriers girls experience, empowering them to make positive change thorough participation in sport and play. After reading the results of the survey, LEGO Team Unstoppable Ambassador and England footballer Lauren Hemp said:

“It’s disappointing to see such a drop in confidence and enjoyment in PE for girls as they go through puberty. What’s equally concerning is that this can affect attitudes to physical activity throughout your life, which can have a huge negative impact on wellbeing, health and quality of life. It’s so important we listen to girls and increase opportunities for them to be active in a way that works for them.”

The Youth Sport Trust is calling upon the government to support schools to improve access to PE, Sport and Play for girls by:

• Listening to girls and empowering them to make choices about the kit they wear and how activities are delivered to build their confidence
• Increasing opportunities for girls to be physically active throughout the school day including through PE, in breakfast and co-curricular sports clubs, and at break times
• Training teachers in tackling gender stereotypes and education around body confidence and female biology.

The report was produced for us by Edge Hill University after an independent evidence review that collated research from across 143 studies.

They have published a new report that shows there is "strong and consistent evidence that sport and physical activity interventions had positive effects on the diagnosed mental health problems of children and young people".

The results will better inform decision-making on children and young people – one of the five ‘big issues’ in our Uniting the Movement strategy – as well as providing recommendations for sport and physical activity providers, policymakers and researchers.

Their head of children and young people, Liz Aitken, said: ⁠"We’re pleased to be able to share the results of Edge Hill University’s independent review, which presents a wealth of information and evidence in one place for the first time.

"The findings will allow us and our partners to talk authoritatively about the relationship between physical activity and young people with a diagnosed mental health condition.

"We look forward to working with the sector to support more young people with their mental health and wellbeing through being active."

Released on World Mental Health Day, ‘Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Physical Activity’ – which you can download below – has been produced by Edge Hill University.

Previous research has shown the positive impact of being active on children’s general wellbeing, but there had been little documented evidence on the role of sport and physical activity in the treatment of diagnosed mental health conditions in children and young people.

So they commissioned Edge Hill to undertake an independent evidence review, in which they collated and reviewed existing research from across 143 studies to assess the strength of evidence.

A consistent picture emerged of the effectiveness of different types of exercise in treating and managing young people’s mental health conditions.

Read more here.

In 2023 the Department of Education recorded 1.5 million special educational needs and disabled children in England. Yet the most recent findings by Activity Alliance's 'My Active Future' report found that only one in four (25%) disabled children take part in sport and physical activity all of the time at school compared to 41% of non-disabled children.

Super Movers for Every Body looks to change that - by trying to get more children into inclusive sports with a free giveaway of over 6,500 sport equipment packs to UK primary schools and a comprehensive collection of Paralympic sport teaching and learning resources on BBC Teach available free to all.

To kick-off the delivery of the free equipment packs and fresh off the back of ParalympicsGB's medal haul in Paris, representatives of the three campaign partners - BBC Education, the Premier League and ParalympicsGB - teamed up for a celebratory event with 60 West Midlands primary school pupils, many with special educational needs, at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC’s training ground.

Children were joined by Wolves first team players Nelson Semedo, Rodrigo Gomes, Anna Morphet, Tammy George and Beth Roberts as well Para canoe medallists Laura Sugar and Jack Eyers to unbox the new equipment.

At the launch of the campaign the Super Movers for Every Body partnership made available 3,300 inclusive sport equipment packs, funded by the Premier League. But due to overwhelming demand, and the response from teachers and children trying the blind football activities, the partnership provided an additional 3,220 blind football packs to be allocated to schools.

This has enabled the campaign to enrich the sport offering of almost a third of UK primary schools, ensuring a lack of equipment wouldn't be a barrier to disabled primary children actively participating in PE and sport. Schools that registered, but missed out on packs will instead receive posters, supporting them to bring disability sport representation to sports hall walls.

‘Not one in four, not 50%, not 75%, but every single child should be able to take part in sport.’ said Laura Sugar, the two-time Paralympic champion who retained her title in the Para canoe sprint KL3 classification in Paris and is also a qualified teacher.

Two-time Para canoe World champion and Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallist Jack Eyers, reflected on being left out at school due to his disability, in contrast to his experience at the Super Movers for Every Body taster session – where every child was included at the same time, regardless of their differences.

To the delight of the children Laura and Jack brought along their gold and silver medals, allowing all the pupils a possible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feel the weight of a Paralympic medal round their necks, and inspire them to reach for the stars with their sporting dreams.