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Empowering Secondary School Pupils to Prioritise their Wellbeing

This summer we welcomed schools from across Norfolk to take part in a festival designed to support pupils in Years 7 & 8 needing some support with the transition into secondary education. Navigating this journey can impact on a young person’s overall wellbeing and Youth Sport Trust data has shown that there is a reduction in physical activity when children move from primary into secondary education. This drop off is particularly prevalent in girls. 

59% of girls at Secondary School enjoy PE in 2023, compared with 74% in 2016 (Youth Sport Trust, 2023)

84% of boys at Secondary School enjoy PE (in 2023) (Youth Sport Trust, 2023)

The Get Active Festival held at UEA Sportspark is the first School Games County opportunity of its kind in Norfolk, bringing together lifestyle activities and organisations invested in supporting the health of young people.

This event was made possible thanks to the combined energy of inspirational activity providers, The Oak Circus Centre, Freedom Yoga, The Garage, SESMA, Boogie Bounce and Premier Education. Students were encouraged to try a mix of workshops including self-defence, street dancing, trampolining, archery and fencing. The sessions were accessible for all fitness levels and curated to help young people reconnect with the whole body benefits of movement. As part of the Norfolk School Games we create community pathways with local clubs and are always enthused to co-create opportunities for young people to find the positive physical outlet that most resonates with them. There are lots of benefits of being part of a community including increased longevity and socially it can support young people to feel a sense of belonging.

We are immensely thankful to the charities and organisations that supported with this event too. We were impressed by the compassionate commitment to supporting Norfolk’s young people through life’s hurdles and approach to working sensitively with those who need a little extra support. A special thanks to MAP, Children’s Services, Family Hubs, Mid-Norfolk PCN, Norfolk & Waveney Children & Young People’s Health Services, Breckland Youth Advisory Board and UK Futures who all generously dedicated their time to provide valuable resources to schools and strike up supportive conversations.

We hope this is first of a series of resiliency festivals in Norfolk and would like to invite schools to let us know what their young people want to see more of. School Games Organisers are setting up a Youth Voice focus group in the next academic year, to ensure young people are empowered to shape the future of physical activity in their school community.

Here’s to a healthy, outdoorsy Summer ahead!