What if pupils could achieve higher academic attainment while ticking off their daily movement and exercise targets? With physically active learning (PAL), they can. 

Boosting results with physically active learning 

Physically active learning challenges traditional, desk-based teaching methods by injecting movement into lessons. PAL uses the brain-boosting power of physical activity to directly involve and engage pupils in education – with remarkable results. 

Targeted at primary school-aged children, PAL is proven to increase engagement, performance, behaviour, and cognition. Currently, most KS1 and KS2 children spend 50-70% of their school day seated. However, research repeatedly shows that when students sit less, they learn more. 

One Nottingham Trent University study found that physically active lessons improved cognitive function tests by an average of 30% and motor development tasks by 25%. What’s...

For most people, professional development means building new skills, enhancing performance and unlocking opportunities. For teachers and coaches, it means all those things and more.  

Because when you’re boosting children’s physical and mental health, expanding your knowledge base doesn’t just benefit you. It gives pupils a better start in life.  

According to Sport England, physically literate children are more likely to be active for the long term – but more than half of children aged five to 15 in England aren’t doing the recommended daily amount of exercise. 

For many pupils, school provides the mainstay of their physical activity. It’s where they learn Fundamental Movement Skills – from balancing to throwing a ball – that blossom into sporting talents and vital life tools like teamwork and taking part. It’s also where they discover the power of play.  

As an educator, the wider your...

How can you get children engaged in learning, improve their concentration, increase their confidence, make concepts easier to understand and raise attainment?

Get them up and on the move.

Not only is physically active learning proven to facilitate learning, it also boosts physical activity and reduces sedentary time.

And looking at the current picture of children and young people’s health and wellbeing, this is crucial.

• 3 million children and young people now do less than an average of 30 minutes of physical activity a day
• 94,000 fewer children and young people are active compared to pre-pandemic levels
• The number of children with a probable mental health disorder has increased from one in nine in 2017 to one in six in 2021

It’s vital we create accessible, engaging and inclusive opportunities for children and young people to be active. Physically active learning is one way of doing just that.

But where do you start?

Take part in Andrew Stanton’s workshop at this...

In the words of a Key Stage 2 pupil, this week’s podcast guest “is a genius”.

For episode 3 of The Primary PE Huddle, we welcome Tagtiv8  founder Bryn Llewellyn.

Who is Bryn Llewellyn?

Bryn worked in multiple UK schools for over 20 years as a teacher and school leader. In 2012, Bryn founded Tagtiv8. His pioneering approach to Physically Active Learning (PAL) provides a valuable and enjoyable alternative to classroom-based learning – crucial when challenging the increasing problem of sedentary lifestyles.

Research by Leeds Beckett University demonstrates that Tagtiv8 PAL solutions tackle inactivity and obesity levels, as well as impacting positively on academic performance. Following this research, Dr Andy Daly-Smith and Bryn Llewellyn co-delivered their TEDx Talk.

And Bryn’s work doesn’t stop there, he’s also co-director of Move & Learn (CIC), and education consultant for the BBC and Premier League...