Education Business 25.5

Sport

Reopening of schools vital to boost children’s activity levels Lockdown has had an impact on children’s activity levels, so the reopening of schools is an important moment to help increase the amount of sport and activity they’re doing, writes Sport England The hugely important role played by schools in helping children build a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity is being emphasised as they reopen.

Sport England’s chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “Large numbers of children tell us that not being at school has negatively impacted on their ability to get active.”

So with schools across England now reopening, this is a crucial time to help children increase the amount of sport and activity they’re doing.

Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey shows that when young people play sport and are active, it doesn’t just benefit their physical health.

The survey has given strong evidence that active children are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, and there’s a strong association between young people being active and better mental health.

On top of this, there’s a wealth of evidence that suggests being active has positive benefits on students’ behaviour, attendance and academic results at school.

Children should be encouraged to develop a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity and build habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

place, or concerns about the virus.

Activity during school closures More than one in three said their activity Last year, 46.8 per cent (3.3 million) of had changed because their usual clubs, children in England were meeting Chief leisure centres, gyms and classes were Medical Officer guidelines of an average of closed (36 per cent), while 24 per cent said 60 minutes of activity per day across a week. it was because their local playground, But during lockdown, with schools skate park, pitch or court was closed and fewer opportunities closed (24 per cent). to use facilities and play During One in six said that formal sport, these figures lockdow their parents / carers dropped significantly.

Data from a Sport were too worried about with sc n, England survey over coronavirus to let closed hools a n the summer suggests them leave home (16 d f o e wer pportun that activity levels per cent), and one facilitie ities to use fell to less than a in seven were too fifth (19 per cent) of worried about the virus formal s and play spo children meeting the themselves to leave levels d rt, activity recommended guidelines. home (14 per cent). ropped Around 43 per cent Meanwhile a separate of children under the survey of children conducted age of 16 were reported to with Childwise in May found have been doing less than half a third said the absence of school an hour of physical activity a day. during the height of the pandemic had a Most worryingly, around 1 in 14 (seven major impact on their ability to be active. per cent) children aged 7-16 said they Tim said: “We want children to develop a healthy relationship with sport and did nothing to stay active in lockdown. physical activity and build habits that will Amongst those that said their physical benefit them throughout their lives. activity was different to normal, the “We know that both parents and teachers are barriers were reported to be either related under pressure in so many areas right now, E to lack of access to their usual space or Issue 25.5 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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