National School Sports Week (6–12 July) is just around the corner, arriving right when pupils’ energy levels – and patience for sitting still – are wearing thin before the summer break. It’s the perfect excuse to swap a chunk of classroom time for movement, games and a bit of friendly competition.
This year, the timing feels even better, with football dominating playground conversations thanks to the FIFA Men’s World Cup. Schools have a ready-made opportunity to turn that buzz into something meaningful, with a host of free resources from The FA and Barclays, and Premier League Primary Stars.
The FA and Barclays’ Made for This Game: Breaking Barriers programme has just launched a new phase of free sessions for KS2 and KS3 pupils, moving from awareness into action. The sessions give pupils the tools to become Equality Champions in their own schools, plan and share their own campaign messages, and reframe their relationship with body confidence through the “Change, Challenge, Choose” framework – building the language, confidence and peer support skills to challenge stereotypes and keep pupils talking, on and off the pitch.
Premier League Primary Stars has its own range of free, ready-to-go PE resources designed to bring energy and movement into the school day with minimal prep. Playground Champions, made in partnership with EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, combines football and gaming through five quick, adaptable activities featuring EA SPORTS FC footage, helping pupils develop leadership, teamwork and accountability skills while championing a positive, inclusive football culture. Meanwhile, Sensory Circuits gives teachers a ready-made way to help pupils -individually, in small teams, or with a teaching assistant – build their own sensory circuit, developing physical, cognitive and emotional skills along the way.
For staff looking to end the year on a high (and burn off some pre-holiday energy in the process), National School Sports Week offers a ready-made reason to get pupils moving – while reinforcing that every pupil, whatever their ability or background, belongs in the game.
