5 Areas to Build an Active School - Guide for Teachers

A guide to help teachers get their children moving, learning, and enjoying every day.

5 Areas to Build a Truly Active School

Are you a primary teacher or headteacher who wants to get children more active throughout the school day? At imoves, we want to discuss the importance of physical activities in schools, and how to help your kids develop and participate at high levels of sport and physical activity. As students learn how to move, this new knowledge has a positive impact on everything from critical thinking to control of their bodies, which are benefits throughout life and schooling.

This guide will help school leaders to understand the real benefits of increased activity, how to roll it out in your class or school, and provide easy-to-use examples for active learning and fostering a positive classroom environment.

For extra resources on how to encourage positive active learning, download the Active Schools Guide PDF.

What Are the Benefits?

Research shows that regular physical activity significantly improves:

Academic achievement
Focus and behavior
Social and emotional well-being
Physical health

A 2017 study of 10,000 children across 11 countries found that:

✅ High-quality PE + Active Learning boosts attainment by an additional year
✅ Focus & behavior improve by an additional 15 minutes per class
✅ Children feel happier and healthier overall

(Ref: Alvarez-Bueno, Celia; Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha et al, Pediatrics, 2017)

Another study over two years found that physically active lessons led to greater learning gains in mathematics and spelling, equating to an additional four months of progress. (Ref: Mullender-Wijnsma MJ, Pediatrics, 2016)

5 Key Areas of an Active School

To make a school truly active, focus on these five areas:

Mindset

Do students, parents, and staff see activity as a core school value?

Active Learning

Are non-PE lessons active?
Is movement embedded in everyday learning with easily understandable concepts?

Structured Active Play

Are all children active during breaktimes and lunchtimes?
Do staff encourage activity?

High-Quality PE

Is PE seen as essential or just an afterthought?

Active Clubs & Travel

Are students engaged in before-and after-school activities?
Do families encourage walking or cycling to school?

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Step 1: Creating a Positive Active Mindset
Step 2: Active Learning
Step 3: Structured Active Play
Step 4: High-Quality PE
Step 5: Extra-Curricular Clubs & Active Travel

Step 1: Creating a Positive Active Mindset

To create lasting change, mindset is everything. If activity is not part of the school’s core values, any efforts will be sporadic and short-lived.

Children need to get a sense of what physical activities can do for them in life and in their schooling.

Building an Active Schools Team

Get the right school leaders involved to ensure success:

Team Motivator: Headteacher or Deputy Head (drives the initiative)
"Get Active" Agent (GA): Senior Leader/PE Lead (champions the change)
Ambassadors: Enthusiastic teachers to trial and share their experiences
Teachers & Support Staff: Embed activity across the curriculum
Students: Involve them in planning—active learning should be fun!

4-Step Process to Embedding an Active Culture

1. Ignition: Audit current activity levels, involve students in planning
2. Blast Off: Launch small, daily activities in class & breaktimes
3. Flight: Ensure activity is becoming a habit
4. Touchdown: Reflect, share success stories, & celebrate progress

Download the Active Schools Guide PDF for a printable version.

Step 2: Active Learning

Why It Works

Active lessons improve focus, mood, and behavior.
Research shows that active learning closes the gap between least and most active

Types of Active Learning

Active Blasts: Quick bursts of movement (2-10 mins) using videos or simple exercises.
Active Learning Tasks: Movement-based educational activities.
Line Activities: Incorporating movement while waiting in line.

Examples of Active Learning Activities

Choose Between: Jump for “yes,” crouch for “no.”
Word Action Games: March for formal speech, freestyle dance for informal.
Top & Tail: Start & end lessons with a movement-based recap.
Circuit Learning: Rotate between stations solving problems.
Data Collection Circuits: Place flashcards around the room, making students move to find answers. The inclusion of teaching resources helps children equate physical movement with different subjects.
Team Games: Relays for sorting materials in science.

Step 3: Structured Active Play

Some children remain sedentary at breaktime, impacting mood, behavior, and learning.

The most important thing when trying to create an active school is to develop a child's confidence through active learning.

Solution: Breaktime Activity Zones

Ball Sports Zone
Creative Play Zone (Scrapstore Playpods)
Dance Zone
Running Track or Circuits
Encourage student-led activities
Train supervisors to facilitate active play
Allow children to suggest new zones & activities

Step 4: High-Quality PE

Two Hours+ of PE per Week Is Essential

Why?

Develops physical literacy
Boosts cardiovascular fitness & muscular strength
Enhances social & teamwork skills

4 Principles for Effective PE

1. Start Simple: Teach basic skills first.
2. Practice Makes Perfect: Allow plenty of repetition.
3. Small is Beautiful: Use mini-games instead of large-group play.
4. Fun, Fun, Fun! Ensure PE is engaging and enjoyable.

Maximising PE Activity Time

Traditional PE lessons include too much waiting time (7-12 mins of activity per 40-minute class).

Solution:

Use small-sided games
Keep kids moving constantly
Minimize setup & downtime

Step 5: Extra-Curricular Clubs & Active Travel

Before & After-School Clubs Innovative ideas that work:
Wheelie Club – Bikes, scooters, and skateboards with obstacle courses.
Pilates for Kids – Builds core strength, balance, and motor skills.
SoccerJam – Football skills combined with music.
Bootcamp Circuits – Fun & high-energy workout sessions.

Active Travel Encourage walking, cycling, and scooting to school.
Walking buses
Bike trains
Active family challenges