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How to Use PESS Funding to Create Active, Engaged, and Happier Schools
Hey there, fellow educators!
Let’s chat about something important: how we can make our school days more active and engaging for our students. The Youth Sport Trust Review recently highlighted a well-being crisis among our kids. Issues like poor attendance, behavioral challenges, and low resilience are becoming all too common. But here’s the good news: we have a fantastic tool at our disposal, the Primary PE and Sport Premium (PESS) funding.
Let’s explore how we can use it to create a healthier, happier, and more productive learning environment for our children.
Understanding the Well-Being Crisis in Schools
Children today are facing challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. Poor attendance, behavioral challenges, and low resilience are symptoms of a wider well-being crisis. The evidence is clear:
- 91% of primary-aged pupils say being active helps them learn.
- 66% of teachers believe sport and play improve concentration and learning.
- 92% of parents think sport and play are critical for education and development.
This isn’t just about improving physical health, it’s about creating environments where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
How Movement Can Transform Your Classroom
Bringing more movement into your school day can make a huge difference. Here are some practical ideas:
1. Active Blasts
Short, fun activities that get everyone moving between lessons. Think of them as mini dance parties or quick stretches to re-energize the classroom.
Our Active Blasts are designed to be easy-to-implement, high-energy activities that take just a few minutes but deliver lasting benefits for focus and engagement.
2. Active Learning
Incorporate movement into your lessons. For example, have students act out a story during literacy or use physical objects to solve math problems.
Our Active schools programme provide lesson plans and activities that combine movement with core curriculum objectives.
3. Quality PE Lessons
PE should be more than just running around; it’s an opportunity to develop motor skills, teamwork, and a love for being active.
With our Primiry PE resources, you’ll find engaging lesson plans and videos that make teaching PE easy and enjoyable, even for non-specialists.
Overcoming Challenges: Empowering Teachers
Introducing more physical activity can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s unfamiliar territory. Here’s the thing: you don’t have to rely solely on external sports coaches. With the right training and resources, you can confidently lead these activities yourself.
Why It Matters:
- Boosts your professional confidence.
- Allows activities to be tailored to your students’ specific needs.
- Encourages a more cohesive and inclusive school culture.
Our training and resources are designed to empower teachers, providing everything you need to lead with confidence.
Moving Toward an Active Future
Imagine a school where movement is woven into the fabric of every day. Students are more engaged, happier, and healthier. Teachers are more confident and energized.
By making the most of PESS funding, we can make this vision a reality. Here’s how:
- Commit to 60 active daily minutes for every child through PE, active breaks, and co-curricular activities.
- Reimagine the PE curriculum to include assessments that support whole-child development.
- Use resources like imoves Active Blasts and lesson plans to integrate movement into every classroom.
How imoves Can Help
At imoves, we’re passionate about supporting schools on their journey to becoming more active and engaging. Our resources, including brain break activities like our Active Blasts, PE lesson plans, and teacher training, are designed to make it easy for you to transform your classroom.
Discover how imoves can support your school:
Sign up for your free trial today and discover how imoves can help you create a happier, healthier, and more active school environment. It’s simple, quick, and the first step toward making a lasting impact on your students’ well-being and learning outcomes.