The Everyday Active Schools programme, delivered by Active Kent & Medway, continues to expand across Kent and Medway, supporting primary schools to embed physical activity throughout the school day and improve outcomes for children. Launched as a pilot in June 2023, the programme takes a whole-school approach to increasing physical activity, helping schools create environments where being active is part of everyday learning, play and school culture.
74 schools are now part of the programme with 25 new schools joining during this academic year. Over 1,200 members of staff have taken part in our free on-boarding workshop since the programme began, highlighting the growing commitment from schools to place physical activity at the heart of their provision.
A key strength of the Everyday Active Schools programme is the focus on practical, sustainable changes that fit within the school day. Through tailored support and action planning, schools are identifying opportunities to include movement into teaching time, rather than seeing it as something separate from learning.
This includes introducing active lessons, adding movement into classroom activities and increasing opportunities for pupils to be active throughout the day. This is making a noticeable difference, particularly for children who may previously have struggled to engage.
“Children are more engaged and are asking to do activities again and some who are reluctant to take part in lessons are beginning to join in. Their wellbeing and engagement has improved.” Green Park Community Primary School
By taking a whole-school approach, Everyday Active Schools is helping to raise the profile of physical activity across teaching, play and the wider school community.
“Being an Everyday Active School helps bring into focus the ways you are currently active and the ways you can build on it. It also raises the profile of being active for the whole school and families.” Westgate Primary School
The programme is also supporting wider priorities for schools, including wellbeing, behaviour and engagement. At Shorne Church of England Primary School, the programme has helped create a more active school environment aligned with wider school priorities. Reflecting on their involvement, Head of School Tara Hewett said:
“By joining the programme, we wanted to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of all the pupils as well as creating an active school environment which aligned with our school development plan.”
The Everyday Active Schools programme is designed to support long-term, sustainable change by engaging all staff, not just PE leads. Through initial workshops and ongoing support, schools are encouraged to reflect on their current provision and identify simple ways to build more movement into daily routines.
“The children speak very highly of the importance of exercise and keeping fit and healthy. Their playtime behaviour has also seen a massive improvement.” Cecil Road Primary School
Schools are reporting clear benefits for both pupils and staff, from improved engagement in lessons to increased confidence in creating active learning environments.
“It is definitely something that every school should be part of. The help and support that we receive is amazing and it has helped us to achieve platinum school games mark.” St Nicholas CofE Primary School
Some schools are also beginning to see wider impacts, including improved attendance linked to more engaging, active school days.
“We’ve seen higher attendance due to the fun opportunities the school provides.” Queenborough Primary & Nursery
The programme comes at a time when data shows that many children are not active enough. Sport England’s Active Lives Survey states that less than half of children aged 5–11 in Kent and Medway are meeting recommended activity levels of 60 minutes a day, with some groups less likely to be active than others.
By supporting schools to take a whole-school approach, Everyday Active Schools is helping to tackle this challenge early, creating more opportunities for all children to enjoy the benefits of being active. With strong feedback from schools and clear evidence of impact, the programme is playing an important role in helping more children move more, every day.
Become an Everyday Active School
If you’d like to join our FREE Everyday Active Schools programme, we are now scheduling FREE workshops for the new academic year 2026-27. To register your interest please email Charlie Sharp at charlie.sharp@kent.gov.uk or:
Follow this link to register your interest in Everyday Active Schools
Published: June 2026
