Active Schools
Priorities to support children and young people
Schools have a major influence on a child's physical activity - no institution other than the family has more effect on a child.
Only schools can provide equal opportunities and a consistent, high-quality, safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
All children and young people, including those with disabilities, should have the opportunity to be physically active at
home, school, college and university and in the
community.
This should include having access to a range of physical activities including
play, sports, dance, exercise, outdoor activities and
active travel and being encouraged to be active in daily tasks.
There is also need for stronger links between school and the community, and between nursery, primary, secondary school and further and higher education.
All children, including children with disabilities, should be
physically educated in nursery, primary and secondary schools. This education should include taking part in at least 2 hours of quality physical education a week to help gain the appropriate movement and behavioural skills needed for an active life.
The
PE Review provides a definition of the characteristics of quality physical education.
How much activity do children and young people need?
Children should accumulate (build up) at least one hour of moderate activity on most days of the week. One hour a day is the minimum needed to:
- provide direct health benefits
- learn and practise a wide range of activities
- live actively as a daily habit
The direct effects of physical activity on a child's health are important. However, ingraining the attitudes, skills and behaviours for lifelong physical activity and health are as important. Strong links to opportunities in the
home and community also need to be established.
External Links
The
Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit role is to champion and promote the development of health promoting schools in order to meet the target of all schools in Scotland being health promoting by 2007.
Active Schools is a term given to all schools in Scotland that provide pupils with sufficient opportunities to get active to the extent that it makes a positive contribution to their health.
The
Safer Links to Schools Website which highlights the action to encourage and enable children to walk and cycle to school through a combined package of practical and educational measures