By Talking Health TV –

Five schools begin pioneering programme designed to embed movement into everyday learning

A group of Kirklees schools are taking the lead in a new pilot programme designed to transform how physical activity is integrated into the school day.

Move More Kirklees has launched a Creating Active Schools (CAS) pilot aimed at helping schools create happier, healthier learning environments by embedding movement throughout teaching, routines and school culture.

CAS is a nationally recognised professional development programme that encourages schools to rethink physical activity, not as an optional extra, but as a natural part of daily school life.

The goal is simple: more active pupils, more confident staff and more energised learning environments.

Five schools join the pilot

Five schools from across Kirklees have joined the programme’s first cohort:

• St Thomas CE Primary School

• Boothroyd Primary Academy

• St John’s Primary School

• Marsden Infant and Nursery School

• Oak Primary School

Initially, the programme targeted schools in Dewsbury West and Ashbrow, areas where Move More Kirklees is already working closely with communities.

Remaining places were then offered to schools attending the Kirklees PE Network meeting on a first-come basis.

These five schools are now helping to shape what a whole-school approach to physical activity could look like across the district.

Delivered by experts in active learning

The pilot is being delivered by a team bringing together national and local expertise in active education.

They include:

• Paula Manser, Head Teacher at Birkby Infant School

• Bryn Llewellyn, Director of Move & Learn

• Alex Ogden, Education Manager at Yorkshire Sport Foundation and National CAS Partnership Lead

Together, they are supporting staff to explore how movement can enhance teaching, learning, wellbeing and overall school culture.

Learn more about Move More Kirklees by watching our introductory video

First session offers powerful insight

The first session took place on Thursday 12 February at Birkby Infant School. Two members of staff from each participating school attended, including at least one senior leader.

During the visit, staff were able to see how active learning approaches have helped transform key areas of school life, including:

• Pupil engagement

• Classroom behaviour

• Staff confidence

• The overall feel of the school environment

Birkby’s experience demonstrated what can happen when movement becomes a natural part of the school day.

What happens next

Over the coming school term, each of the five schools will receive tailored support to help them embed the CAS approach.

This includes:

• 1:1 tailored support to help schools understand their starting point and plan meaningful changes

• Whole-staff CPD training to provide practical strategies for integrating movement across the school day

Schools will also take part in three group sessions, giving staff the opportunity to share ideas, test new approaches and learn from each other’s experiences.

By the end of the academic year, each school is expected to develop a clear and practical action plan to embed the CAS model for the long term.

Building a more active future

The pilot reflects growing recognition that physical activity plays a crucial role in children’s wellbeing and learning.

By supporting schools to incorporate movement into lessons, playtimes, transitions and the wider school culture, the programme aims to create environments where pupils are healthier, happier and more ready to learn.

The pilot marks the first step in what organisers hope will become a wider movement to make schools across Kirklees more active.