Physical Activity
Physical activity has lots of benefits for children’s health and wellbeing as well as the development of lots of other skills including helping them to concentrate better at school and has even been linked to higher academic achievement.
It is recommended by the Chief Medical Officer that children should complete a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day, broken down to 30 minutes at home and 30 minutes during the school day. This is activity where children are slightly out of breath, heart rate slightly elevated and just starting to sweat.
An Active Travel programme in a school is a fantastic way to support children to achieve a proportion of their 60 minutes a day of activity which they might
not get out of school hours. Active Travel also supports children’s readiness for the school day, as research has shown that children taking part in active travel to school, arrive calmer and more energised for the school day.
If your school would like to discuss implementing an Active Travel programme, such as 'Walking Buses' contact us at roadsafety@telford.gov.uk.
Travel Telford offers secondary school pupils the opportunity to undertake Bikeability to a level determined by the pupil. To find out more information on cost and bookings contact us at roadsafety@telford.gov.uk or by calling 01952 384000.
Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are a charity and the local active partnership who work with local schools and communities to enhance physical activity provision to children and young people alongside reducing sedentary behaviour and providing support and training.
The School Games is an opportunity to motivate and support young children across Telford to engage and take part in competitive sport. Our local School Games coordinator for all of Telford is Frankie Williams, who co-ordinates, organises and runs the inter-school competitions which includes, cross country, cricket, netball, dodgeball. If you would like to get in touch regarding the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin School Games county events, please get in touch by emailing jake.jones@energizestw.co.uk
Research done by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities “What works in schools and colleges to increase physical activity?” have created a
resource for head teachers, college principals, staff working in education settings, school nurses, practitioners, Active Partnerships and wider partners. Promoting the health and wellbeing of pupils and students within schools has the potential to improve both educational and health and wellbeing outcomes.
Download the guidance to increase physical activity among children and young people in schools and colleges from the GOV.UK website.
The Youth Sport Trust has a wealth of resources to support your physical activity offer in your school. From case studies to increase participation in extracurricular activities to leadership programmes to develop peer support opportunities.
Last updated : 22 September 2025