Active 60 Minutes
60 Active minutes and Physical Activity at Summerfield
At Summerfield, we firmly believe that being active is one of the most valuable habits a child can develop. Current guidance from the Youth Sport Trust recommends that all children take part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Regular exercise supports healthy growth and builds strong bones and muscles; it also improves concentration in the classroom, promotes better sleep and plays a vital role in children's emotional wellbeing. We are committed to providing every child with plentiful opportunities to move, play and enjoy being active throughout the school day, and we hope you will support us by encouraging the same at home.
After-School Sports Clubs
In case you were not already aware, we offer a wide range of after-school sports clubs throughout the week, including netball, korfball, football, athletics, cricket and multi-sports. These clubs provide an excellent opportunity for children to try something new, make new friends and develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment. If you would like your child to take part, please speak to the school office to check availability and arrange their place; where clubs are already full, your child will be added to a waiting list and offered a space as soon as one becomes available.
60-Second Activity Cards
We would like every child to do something active outside of school each day, even if only for a few minutes. To support this, the Youth Sport Trust have put together an extensive selection of 60-second activity cards, designed to be completed individually or as quick games with the whole family — outdoors in the garden or in the living room when the weather is less inviting. Each card offers a fun, fast-paced challenge intended to encourage some healthy competition between friends and family members. The activities are quick, enjoyable and require very little space or equipment. To support this initiative further, every child will be given a weekly activity record sheet at school to take home; pupils who return their completed sheet will be rewarded with green points, regardless of how much activity has been recorded — we simply want to celebrate the effort of taking part.
Please click the 60 Second Physical Activity Challenges section below to download the cards and try them at home.
Staying Active During the School Day
Alongside our extra-curricular clubs, children take part in two PE sessions each week, a 15-minute morning break and a full hour at lunchtime. During the lunch hour, the playground is divided into different zones so that children can choose from a variety of activities and resources. One of these zones is led by our Year 5 and 6 Sports Leaders, who use the 60-second activity cards to encourage as many children as possible to participate and remain active. Children in KS2 are also able to attend a 30-minute lunchtime football club once a week.
Active Travel and School Events
We encourage all families to walk or cycle to school wherever possible; it is a wonderful way to begin the day actively and benefits the environment too. Each year, Summerfield proudly hosts an intra-school cross-country competition, athletics trials for the Milton Keynes School Athletics Competitions, and a wide variety of inter-school sporting fixtures and physically active wellbeing days. There truly is something for every child, and it is always a pleasure to see our pupils represent Summerfield with pride and enthusiasm.