Education
On Monday 12th October 2020 we hosted an "Active Schools Commonwealth Games" event via Zoom for Head Teachers and senior staff within schools.
The event included an update from Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games about the current planning of Birmingham 2022, an update from afPE regarding the importance of planning for PE, school sport and physical activity at this current time and the launch of the 'Pathway to Podium' initiative which recognises and encourages schools' contribution to physical activity.
The event was recorded and is available below for anyone that was unable to join us or those wishing to revisit parts of the event.
Sport Birmingham's vision is for all young people in Birmingham to experience outstanding physical education, school sport and physical activity that will lead to active and healthy lifestyles through life-long participation.
We work together with local, regional and national partners to help co-ordinate and deliver physical activity opportunities for young people to help them achieve the recommended levels of 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Our funded programmes include the School Games, Primary PE & School Sport Premium, Active Lives Children Survey and The Daily Mile.
These pages aim to act as a one-stop shop of information and support for schools to help them to deliver high quality PE and sport and to offer opportunities for young people to be active throughout the school day. It brings together local and national information, resources, and updates as well as links to providers and organisations that can offer support.
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Our current priorities are:
- Advocating the key role of PE, school sport and physical activity for the overall health and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Identifying and supporting schools that require advice and guidance around PE, school sport and physical activity in these circumstances.
The Government has provided guidance to support the full reopening of schools in September - full document available here (while the PE, school sport and physical activity specific section is below): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools
And there is also specific guidance from Swim England in connection to School Swimming provision: https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/pool-return-guidance-documents/
Physical activity in schools
Schools have the flexibility to decide how physical education, sport and physical activity will be provided whilst following the measures in their system of controls.
Sports whose national governing bodies have developed guidance under the principles of the government's guidance on team sport and been approved by the government are permitted. Schools must only provide team sports on the list available at return to recreational team sport framework.
Pupils should be kept in consistent groups, sports equipment thoroughly cleaned between each use by different individual groups.
Outdoor sports should be prioritised where possible, and large indoor spaces used where it is not, maximising natural ventilation flows (through opening windows and doors or using air conditioning systems wherever possible) distancing between pupils and paying scrupulous attention to cleaning and hygiene. This is particularly important in a sports setting because of the way in which people breathe during exercise. External facilities can also be used in line with government guidance for the use of, and travel to and from, those facilities.
Schools should refer to the following guidance:
- guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation and guidance from Sport England for grassroot sport
- advice from organisations such as the Association for Physical Education and the Youth Sport Trust
- guidance from Swim England on school swimming and water safety lessons available at returning to pools guidance documents
- using changing rooms safely
Schools are able to work with external coaches, clubs and organisations for curricular and extra-curricular activities where they are satisfied that it is safe to do so. Schools should consider carefully how such arrangements can operate within their wider protective measures.
Activities such as active miles, making break times and lessons active and encouraging active travel help to enable pupils to be physically active while encouraging physical distancing.
COVID-19 Guidance for Schools
Please see below a document containing guidance for schools to support the delivery of Physical Education, school sport and physical activity.
We hosted a webinar on Tuesday 30th June with colleagues from the Association for Physical Education (afPE) and Birmingham Public Health to give some further information and guidance.
If you would like to receive the presentation information from this webinar, please email schools@sportbirmingham.org with your Name, School and Job Role.
COVID 19 Guidance for Schools (PDF, 519 Kb)
PE, School Sport and Physical Activity: Lockdown and Beyond Webinar
On Monday 13th July 2020, we delivered a webinar alongside some of our key partners to support Primary and Secondary Schools to:
- Understand the expectations and requirements of PE and Sport Premium reporting for 2019/20
- Become familiar with the PE at Home resources to support home-schooling
- Learn about the Pathway to Podium initiative to celebrate your schools achievements
- Understand how young people and schools can engage in the Birmingham Virtual School Games Challenges
To view a recording of the webinar, please visit: https://bep.education/youth-sport-trust/
James Grinsted
For more information contact, James (Deputy Safeguarding Officer) who will be happy to help.
- Mobile
- 07730 281563
- james.grinsted@sportbirmingham.org
