Children & Young People Newsletter July 2025
Published: Our Opening School Facilities Impact Report 2023-25
Active Kent & Medway proudly supported the Department for Education’s Opening School Facilities programme between January 2023 and March 2025. Now the programme has come to an end, we are pleased to present the impact and learning from the schools involved.
Our report demonstrates how schools opening their facilities and partnering with community organisations has had significant impact on physical and mental wellbeing of young people and local residents.
The report also contains a full list of schools who opened their facilities for community use as well as a helpful toolkit for schools looking to open their facilities for the first time.
Everyday Active Schools
We’re delighted to announce that 49 primary schools across Kent and Medway have now joined the Everyday Active Schools programme. Congratulations to Westgate Primary School, East Stour Primary, Shorne Church of England Primary and Cecil Road Primary School, who all received their Everyday Active Schools Certificates this term, recognising their commitment to increasing children’s physical activity levels by taking a whole school approach to embedding physical activity across the school day.
The FREE Everyday Active Schools programme involves an initial on-boarding workshop for all staff, leading to a bespoke action plan to work towards, whilst receiving ongoing support, resources and progress meetings.
Summer Holiday Activities
HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) Programme
The HAF Programme offers families of children aged 4 to 16, who are eligible for benefits related free school meals (FSM), opportunities to access a range of free activities during the school holidays. The programme typically runs for four weeks over the summer.
Each programme provides a range of exciting activities, games and new experiences for children, along with a healthy main meal. Children will have the chance to try new sporty or creative activities and to make new friends.
Please contact Programmes directly for more information via the link below.
Follow this link to find out about the HAF programme in Kent
Sportability Canterbury
Sportability 2025 is a completely FREE, inclusive sports day designed especially for young people with disabilities. The event will take place on Tuesday 19 August 2025 at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury – the home of Kent Cricket. The action-packed day of exciting, adaptive activities will also include a free lunch for every participant!
Whether your child or young adult is competitive, cautious, chaotic, or just curious, there’s a space (and pace) for everyone. It’s a full-family affair too: siblings can join in, parents can relax, and grandparents get a front-row seat (plus shade and chairs!).
Follow this link to find out about Sportability Day
NHS’ 10 Minute Shake Up Games
Looking for activities to keep children moving and entertained at home during the summer holidays? The NHS’ 10 Minute Shake Up games are a great way to get kids moving with fun games inspired by some of their favourite Disney characters.
The boredom-busting activities will help them reach the 60 active minutes they need every day!
Follow this link to access the NHS’ 10 Minute Shake Up Games
Summer Reading Challenge
Looking for FREE summer fun that helps children’s love of reading grow, with books that inspire them to get active? Each year Kent Libraries delivers the Summer Reading Challenge, offering children aged 4 to 11 a summer full of stories, events, and activities, all for free.
Children can read anything they like to take part and get rewards, including books that can help to get kids moving. Whether it’s fact books for nature explorers or rainy day reads packed with inspiration for indoor fun, there’s something for everyone. The best part? All these fantastic reads are available to reserve and borrow for FREE at Kent Libraries.
Follow this link to get involved in the Summer Reading Challenge
Training Opportunities
Ready, Set, Squash
Whether you’re a teacher looking for fresh, fun PE or a coach keen to grow the game, Ready, Set, Squash gives you everything you need to bring squash to life in your local school.
Developed by England Squash, this free, curriculum-aligned programme makes it easy to deliver high-energy squash sessions in any space – no experience or court required.
Launching in September 2025, schools will be able to access online training, ready-to-use lesson plans, video how-to and access to discounts on equipment to help get you started. You can also sign up to their mailing list to receive regular updates on the programme.
Follow this link to find out more about Ready Set Squash
Level Water: 1-1 Swimming Lessons for Children with Disabilities
Swimming for children with disabilities is the biggest unmet need in sport. The water takes your weight; it’s a true leveller. It relieves pain and offers freedom and independence that many of our children never experience elsewhere.
Level Water provide 1-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities aged 4-11 across the UK and within a number of locations across Kent. The lessons give children the opportunity to learn to swim and fall in love with the water. Visit their website for more information including how to apply.
Other News
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