The Educator Magazine UK May- August 2023 - Magazine - Page 45
Last year, schools taking part in
National School Sports Week
provided more than 650,000 young
people with opportunities to be
involved in PE, play and sport.
concerned about children’s physical
activity levels and the consequence
of this in the classroom.
Alison Oliver MBE, Chief Executive
of the Youth Sport Trust says:
Children’s formative years can
influence their wellbeing,
development, education outcomes
and physical activity levels well into
adulthood. There is a compelling
evidence base for more play and
sport in children’s lives. Pockets of
innovative practice which are
unlocking new ways to inspire young
people to get active are emerging,
but a priority has to be raising public
awareness of the CMO guidance
should be a priority alongside action
to help schools and families respond.
We know children are leading
increasingly sedentary lives. Screen
time is up, and time spent in nature is
down – it’s no surprise that
parents and teachers are increasingly
National School Sports Week is a great
opportunity for us to engage with
schools and families. We’re excited to
share some brilliant ideas and
guidance as well as uniting a
Here today we have the Chief
Executive of the Youth Sport Trust,
Alison Oliver MBE, to tell us more
about the importance of driving
awareness, talk around the physical
and mental benefits of the Chief
Medical Officers’ guidelines and top
tips to get kids up and out this June.
SPOKESPERSON COMMENTARY
movement of organisations to help
amplify why this is important and
what’s available at a local level.
We are inviting the nation to
#PledgeToPlay.
Today we issue a rallying call.
Daily physical activity, play and the
development of physical literacy
through physical education and
school sport should be an integral
part of every childhood, and we are
really excited to work with Sports
Direct to make play and sport more
accessible for more young people and
in turn help them lead happier and
healthier lives.
Schools, families and organisations
can start to take action by
supporting the Youth Sport Trust’s
National School Sports Week
campaign at https://
www.youthsporttrust.org/join-us/
Believing in every child’s future