Creating Active Schools: A whole-school approach For #NSSW2025, Jess Simons reflects on the growing impact of the Creating Active Schools (CAS) journey in Greater Manchester.

"What would it take to embed physical activity into a school day?"

This bold question informed a new approach for over 50 schools in Greater Manchester.

To wrap up #NSSW2025, explore the impact, insights and hopes from the Creating Active Schools (CAS) journey:
buff.ly/BhJb2IP

#YSTAlwaysActive

After school yesterday, our students kept the #NSSW2025 energy going with even more activity!
• Year 8 and 9 took part in a spirited softball cricket match.
• Year 7 brought the rhythm and energy with a cheerleading session.
Great to see such a variety of sport and teamwork!
#YSTAlwaysActive

Yesterday, we continued the momentum of #NSSW2025 with a brilliant Year 7 interform cricket tournament. Fantastic teamwork, sportsmanship and determination were on show throughout. Well done 7G who were the cricket champions!
#YSTAlwaysActive

A young child smiles as he walks along a green path near school

Schools in Greater Manchester are embedding physical activity into the curriculum with active maths, movement breaks and active travel.

Great tools for schools on #CleanAirDay:
TravelTracker: buff.ly/AaGc4C8
Modeshift STARS: buff.ly/mAabq58

#YSTAlwaysActive #NSSW2025

It was a battle of the bats yesterday as Year 9 took on staff in a high-spirited game of rounders! Plenty of laughs and great sportsmanship all round. What a way to celebrate National Sports Week.

#NSSW2025 #YSTAlwaysActive
@YouthSportTrust

Happy school children run along a path in a park

🤝 Real change happens when everyone’s on board.

Rochdale’s School Games programme is uniting schools, public health, local authorities & community groups to boost physical activity and wellbeing for young people.

Read more: buff.ly/6thp8gi

#YSTAlwaysActive #NSSW2025

We kicked off National School Sports Week 2025 on Monday with a fantastic afternoon of tennis for our Year 7 students. From volleys to serves, our students showed great enthusiasm and teamwork. A brilliant start to the week!
#YSTAlwaysActive #NSSW2025

New workshop for school staff to support disabled children in PE The Inclusive Activity Programme launches a new CIMSPA accredited workshop for schools during National School Sports Week.

Become an inclusive PE champion at your school with our new Inclusive Activity Programme schools workshop!
#NSSW2025 #YSTAlwaysActive

Visit our website for information and details on how to book: www.activityalliance.org.uk/news/9946-ne...

Case study: How Willowpark Academy have designed active lunchtimes with Creating Active Schools. Introduced structured games and activities at lunchtimes. Large numbers of pupils involved, supported by staff and ETAs. Improved behaviour, calmer playgrounds, better engagement. Redesigned outdoor spaces to maximise activity opportunities. Built leadership skills by empowering older pupils to lead. Ongoing staff development and resourcing to sustain momentum. Quote from Willowpark Academy: "Start small and build up. Make the most of your space and support staff to deliver."

What does it look when every part of school encourages movement?

In Manchester and Oldham, playgrounds, classrooms and corridors are being reimagined to support activity. These changes help embed 60 active minutes a day into school.

Here's one great case study.

#YSTAlwaysActive #NSSW2025

Across our 10 boroughs of GM, CAS is positively impacting 1000s of CYP, enabling them to be active throughout the school day. NSSW provides us with a great opportunity to showcase this work and celebrate the ways that CYP across GM can be Always Active #YSTAlwaysActive #NSSW2025

Policy makes a difference. In Wigan and Manchester, schools are embedding physical activity into school improvement plans 🏃‍♀️🏫

As part of #NSSW2025, we’re shining a light on how strategic leadership supports the #YSTAlwaysActive mission.

Learn more: buff.ly/YuHcWg2