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How can schools encourage physical activity beyond the timetable?

By: Imogen Buxton-Pickles • Read time: 4 min • Published: October 12 2026

Quick Answer

Before and after-school activities can help more pupils become active when provision extends beyond traditional team sports. Schools can provide a varied programme including dance, circuits, active travel, and informal morning activities like Wheelie Clubs to encourage broader participation.

In this article

What physical activities can schools offer?

Before- and after-school activity can reach pupils in a different way, but only if the offer is broad enough. A programme built mainly around traditional team sports may suit some pupils brilliantly while repeatedly missing others.

Senior leaders should look at who attends, not just how many clubs are on offer. Which children join several activities? Which children never attend? Are cost, transport, confidence, kit, or prior experience creating barriers?

Consider a mix of activities, such as:

  • Dance
  • Circuits
  • Running or walking
  • Pilates or yoga-style movement
  • Cycling, scooters or wheeled activities
  • Creative movement
  • Non-competitive fitness
  • Sport-and-music combinations

How can active travel support a more active school?

Active travel can play a role here too. Walking, cycling or scooting to school won't be possible for every family, but schools can promote it where practical, exploring ideas like park-and-stride routes or walking buses.

What is a school Wheelie Club?

Try setting up a Wheelie Club first thing in the morning, where children can use their wheels to "bomb" around the playground before school starts. In one school I worked with, Wheelie Wednesday became so popular they ended up running a wheelie club every single morning. They had small ramps and a boogie-box outside to enhance the experience. Practically zero expense and loads of fun.

"Before and after-school activities can help more pupils become active when provision extends beyond traditional team sports."

Imogen Buxton-Pickles, Founder and CEO, imoves Active Education Ltd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities can schools offer before and after lessons?
Schools can offer dance, circuits, running, walking, Pilates, yoga-style movement, cycling, scooters, creative movement and non-competitive fitness. Providing a varied programme can help schools reach pupils who may not be interested in traditional team sports or competitive activities.
How can schools make extracurricular physical activity more inclusive?
Leaders should examine which pupils attend activities and which pupils are consistently absent. Schools can then explore whether cost, transport, confidence, kit or previous experience creates barriers. A broader mixture of competitive and non-competitive options can help more children find something they enjoy.
Why should schools review who attends physical activity clubs?
The number of clubs available does not show whether provision is reaching a broad range of pupils. Reviewing attendance can reveal that some children join several activities while others never participate. This information can help schools adjust their programme and address barriers to involvement.
How can active travel contribute to an active school?
Walking, cycling or scooting to school can provide additional opportunities for some pupils to be active. It may not be practical for every family, but schools can explore suitable options such as walking buses and park-and-stride routes while considering local circumstances and safety arrangements.
What is a school Wheelie Club?
A Wheelie Club gives children an opportunity to use scooters, bicycles or other suitable wheeled equipment before school. It can begin as a weekly activity and develop according to pupil interest and available space. Schools should establish appropriate supervision, equipment and safety arrangements before introducing it.

Author

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Imogen Buxton-Pickles

Primary PE & Specialist | Founder of imoves

Imogen Buxton-Pickles, primary PE specialist and founder of imoves, an all-in-one PE and active learning platform that empowers teachers to deliver PE confidently.