Physical activity and PE
Physical education (PE) is a compulsory part of the curriculum for all pupils at every Key Stage.
Young People’s Health and Wellbeing 2022 survey gathered views on aspects of Healthy lifestyles, including physical activity and provided essential evidence to understand the physical activity level of children and young people in Wandsworth.
National guidelines and resources
A number of national bodies and organisations provide information about the teaching of PE.
Department for Education (DfE)
The Department for Education (DfE) recommends that all pupils should receive a minimum of two hours of curricular PE per week for all Key Stages. DfE provides physical education programmes of study on its website:
Guidelines for physical activity
According to the UK Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity guidelines, children under five should achieve 180 minutes of physical activity. Children aged five to 18 should do 60 minutes of daily moderate physical activity - 30 minutes should be delivered within the school day and the remaining 30 minutes outside of school.
The World Health Organisation (WHO)
Promoting physical activity through schools briefing highlights the importance of embedding physical activity throughout the school day.
Whole-school approach to physical activity
Schools wishing to apply for the bronze healthy school status are required to have in place a physical activity policy that outlines the school’s shared vision of the value and role of all physical activity within and beyond the school. This should include:
- Active travel
- Extracurricular provision
- Opportunities during break times to encourage physical activity
- Active classrooms
- Inclusiveness of PE
- Encouragement of staff activity and their professional development
Download the Physical Activity Policy template.
Active Mile
Active Mile is a government initiative that supports pupils to be active during the school day by providing regular opportunities for them to move around a marked route for a dedicated period - for example, 15 minutes. There are many Active Mile providers, including:
- The Daily Mile - a free initiative helping schools to rebuild their children’s fitness and improve their emotional and mental health – all outdoors in the fresh air. This includes an annual London Mini Marathon initiative. Register to receive information
- Raceways Revolution - encourages pupils to walk, run, skip and hop their way to four marathons through regular increments in an academic year. Pupils record the distances using the Digital Tracking System, which tracks pupils’ progress and acts as the perfect motivator. Sign in or register your school
Other useful documents
- Physical activity guidelines: disabled children and young people recommend 20 minutes of mostly aerobic physical activity per day, for this cohort
- What works in schools and colleges to increase physical activity - a briefing providing an overview of the evidence
- School Sport and Activity Action Plan outlines government support for senior leadership and teachers to deliver high-quality PE and sport
- PE and Sports Premium for primary schools. All children should have equal access to high-quality PE and opportunities to participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities
TfL Travel for Life and School travel plan
Transport for London (TfL) has brought together all TfL education programmes, formerly known as Road Safety Club, STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart, under one exciting new umbrella programme called TfL Travel for Life.
Early Years, primary schools and secondary schools can get involved in free year-round educational programmes that inspire children and young people to travel actively, responsibly and safely around London. Find out more about what’s on offer in Wandsworth.
School travel planning promotes healthy, safe and sustainable travel to school. Read more on the STARS accreditation programme or join one of the school workshops.
For more information, you can email stp@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Living Streets host 'Walk to School Week' each year in the second half of May. Schools can use their PE and Sport Premium funding to cover the cost of the pack.
Other bodies and organisations
- Youth Sport Trust has a wide-range of free or paid-for support options for schools.
- Wandsworth School Games is hosted by Southfields Academy and supports a network of 118 Wandsworth schools.
- Better Health - Healthier Families offers information about active hobbies and sports, to fun 10-minute-shake-up games for children to play at home with their families. Also see Better Health - Start for Life - activities for toddlers, baby moves.
- Wandsworth Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) is for young people and families in receipt of Pupil Premium (benefit related free school meals) from school years reception to Year 11, To access activities and services during the winter, Easter and summer school holidays, including a nutritious meal and a fun physical activity every day. If you are a potential provider interested in providing HAF you can register your interest.
- Cosmic Kids offers free online fun yoga for children and promotes mindfulness through fun stories.
- The Association for Physical Education provides quality-assured services and resources, and professional support for members
- A-life provide healthy living workshops, fun fitness and other personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curricular sessions for primary schools.
- Tactive8 joins up physical activity with learning maths and English in fun, engaging and active way.
Local assets in Wandsworth
The borough offers a range of spaces, activities and opportunities that can promote good physical health.
Sports, leisure venues and outdoor spaces
Find out more about all the sports and leisure venues in the borough or activities suitable for disabled children and young people in Wandsworth. Our parks and open spaces are also great places to be active.
Enable Leisure & Sports is a not-for-profit organisation which manages leisure, sports, arts and cultural services for Wandsworth Council.
Cycling and other activities
Check our cycling page for a range of ways you can be active on your bike. We offer training to help children and adults learn how to cycle, and to cycle safely.
The borough also offers a variety of opportunities for:
Also, visit our physical activity pages for more information and tips on how to be active with children.