Schools are being encouraged to harness the excitement of National School Sports Week (6–12 July) with a range of free, ready-to-use resources designed to get pupils active, engaged and learning through sport.
With pupils' energy levels running high and concentration often beginning to wane towards the end of the academic year, National School Sports Week provides the perfect opportunity to swap time at desks for movement, games and healthy competition. This year's event also coincides with growing excitement around football with the men's World Cup, giving schools an ideal chance to channel pupils' enthusiasm into positive learning experiences.
The FA and Barclays have expanded their Made for This Game: Breaking Barriers programme with a new phase of free sessions for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils. Moving beyond raising awareness, the programme now focuses on empowering young people to become Equality Champions within their schools.
The sessions encourage pupils to design and share their own equality campaigns while exploring body confidence through the "Change, Challenge, Choose" framework. By developing confidence, communication and peer support skills, the programme aims to help pupils challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion both on and off the football pitch.
Meanwhile, Premier League Primary Stars is offering a suite of free PE resources that can be delivered with minimal preparation. Among them is Playground Champions, developed in partnership with EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, which combines football and gaming through five adaptable activities featuring EA SPORTS FC footage. The activities are designed to build leadership, teamwork and accountability while promoting a positive and inclusive football culture.
Teachers can also access Sensory Circuits, a flexible resource that enables pupils to create their own sensory circuit individually, in small groups or alongside a teaching assistant. The activities support the development of physical, cognitive and emotional skills while encouraging movement throughout the school day.
