What is Active Schools?

What is Active Schools?

What is Active Schools?
Active Schools is a key element in the Scottish Government's drive to get more Scots more active; a commitment outlined in the National Physical Activity Strategy, 'Let's Make Scotland More Active'.

The fundamental aim of the Active Schools Network is to offer all children and young people the opportunities and motivations to adopt active, healthy lifestyles now and into adulthood. These opportunities are available before, during and after school, as well as in he wider community. Active Schools is more than just getting school-aged children to take part in formal sport and exercise. Active Schools also aims to introduce more physical activity into daily lives through active travel, play and formal sport. As such, the physical activity and sport element of Active Schools links closely with a number of other key government initiatives - Health Promoting School and Safer Routes to Schools, to name just two - and is supported by a broad range of partners.

Active Schools also impacts on a number of other key policies and initiatives, such as the Curriculum for Excellence, which has an important role to play in the promoting the health and well being of children and young people and all of those in the educational communities to which they belong.

The Role of an Active Schools Co-ordinator
The role of an Active Schools Co-ordinator (ASC) is to support current, and develop new, high quality opportunities for school pupils to participate in regular, frequent, safe and fun physical activity (incorporating sport, play, health and active travel).

The ASC works to develop the capacity of the local communities by delivering training and workshops, or offer advice and support in relation to grants, funding applications, coaching qualifications, links to national governing bodies and much more.

ASCs work with a range of partners such as active communities development officers, physical education, sport and physical activity clubs, school travel co-ordinator, road safety officers, community education, active communities officers and NHS Grampian.

How to involve your School
- Provide quality, safe and fun physical activity opportunities, including sport, both within the formal and informal curriculum
- Provide adequate resources and funding for physical activity and sport
- Actively promote positive attitudes towards participation in physical activity with pupils, teachers and families
- Ensure physical activity and sport is referenced within the School Development plan
- Encourage and support pupils to reach their full potential through physical activity, sport and physical education.

Active Schools in Aberdeen City
Aberdeen City Council in partnership with sportscotland has invested in Active Schools through to 2011. This has allowed a staff structure to be developed that mean all local authority primary, secondary and additional support needs educational establishments have the benefit of an Active Schools Co-ordinator in post.

To find out who the Active Schools Co-ordinator in your area is go to Active Schools in Your Area the link on the right.