Physical Activity Promotion in Secondary Schools

Abstract

This study investigated the nature and extent of physical activity promotion in a sample of secondary schools in central England. Questionnaires were completed by 42 physical education Heads of Department and questions covered a range of contexts for the promotion of physical activity in schools including the curriculum, the informal curriculum, the environment, community, and school policies and ethos. Results showed that schools varied in the amount and nature of physical activity opportunities they provided. Encouraging curriculum developments were evident in some schools and extra-curricular activities and community links appeared to be thriving in most. However, the environments and policies in many schools were not always conducive to physical activity participation and problems were evident with liaison, finance and INSET. It was concluded that, while most teachers were working hard to promote physical activity in some areas of the school, many other avenues for physical activity promotion were being overlooked.