Dudley programme targeting inactive pupils hailed big success

A Dudley project designed to increase participation in physical activity among inactive pupils has demonstrated “significant positive impact”.

Funded by Active Black Country as part of our new approach to the School Games programme for the 2025/26 academic year, the Healthy Me initiative – designed by the Dudley School Games Organiser team – used public health data to target the six schools with the highest obesity levels in the borough.

Ten Year 5 pupils from each of the 6 schools were chosen to participate based on their low levels of physical activity, confidence or engagement in PE and active play.

The project recognised that many children face barriers to being active and aimed to provide positive, enjoyable experiences that developed confidence, competence and motivation to participate in physical activity. Alongside increasing activity levels, the programme encouraged children to make healthier lifestyle choices and discover activities they could continue outside school.

The aims were to: increase participation in physical activity among inactive pupils; develop children's physical literacy by improving confidence, motivation and movement competence; introduce children to a variety of accessible activities they could continue at home and within their community; promote healthy lifestyle choices through education on nutrition and physical activity; encourage active family involvement through home-based activities; and build positive attitudes towards lifelong participation in physical activity.

Fun activities

The programme consisted of three events, including a Superhero Challenge in which children took part in a range of fun physical activities designed to develop fundamental movement skills, teamwork and confidence.

A Multi-Activity Festival gave children experience of a range of accessible activities including scooting, rollerblading and other games that required minimal equipment and could be enjoyed at home or in local parks. On a weekly rota Pupils took home Mission Move It activity backpacks, containing physical activity equipment, challenge cards and an activity logbook, encouraging them to complete activities with family and friends.

The final event – a Healthy Me Explorer Challenge – combined physical activity with problem-solving and teamwork. Children participated in team-building challenges, developed basic map reading skills and completed an orienteering scavenger hunt.

Measuring the impact

Dudley’s School Games Organiser Sam Ayris said the Healthy Me project had a “significant positive impact on participating pupils”.

“Children demonstrated increased confidence to take part in physical activity and became more willing to try unfamiliar activities. Many pupils reported enjoying physical activity more than before the programme and felt more confident being active with their friends and families,” she said.

“Staff reported noticeable improvements in pupils' confidence, engagement and willingness to participate in PE lessons and active play. Many children who had previously been reluctant participants became enthusiastic contributors during the events.

“Both pupil and staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the variety of activities, inclusive atmosphere and opportunities for personal success as key strengths of the project.”

Sustainability

The Healthy Me programme has created a sustainable legacy by providing opportunities tailored to local needs, forming the inspire and engage element of the School Games outcomes:

Leaving each school with Mission Move It activity backpacks for continued use.
Providing resources that encourage regular home-based physical activity.
Increasing pupils' confidence to participate in school and community activities.
Equipping schools with ideas for inclusive physical activity sessions.
Encouraging family engagement in active lifestyles.
Developing positive attitudes towards lifelong physical activity through enjoyable early experiences.

The resources and learning from the programme will continue to support future cohorts of pupils and promote active, healthy lifestyles across participating schools.

School Games Organiser Network

The Dudley programme was one of four projects led by the School Games Organiser Network in the Black Country.

Under plans to evolve the approach to School Games delivery for the 2025-26 academic year, Active Black Country worked with SGO network leads in each borough, in partnership with the local authorities and Youth Sport Trust.

Through collaboration and consultation with key partners, the programme shifted from a ‘one size fits all’ model to an approach that ensures School Games outcomes are met whilst allowing each local authority area to address their own specific challenges.

The aim was to better align the programme with regional and national priorities, respond more effectively to the needs of Black Country children and young people, and maintain a strong focus on tackling inequalities in physical activity participation.

In our partnership working, we have adopted a deeper, place based delivery model, replacing the Summer Festival with targeted projects in partner schools.

The focus of the Black Country CYP programmes is on creating sustainable opportunities for children and young people to be physically active and get the best start in life, which align with our strategic objectives and contribute to our Outcomes Framework ambitions to reduce inactivity levels and tackle structural inequalities.

(Dudley School Games Organisers: Sam Ayris, Ellowes Hall Sports College, Rachel Boden, Windsor Academy, Luke Philpotts, Dudley School Sport Network)