Active School Flag Process for Physically Active School Community

1. www.activeschoolflag.ie

2. ABOUT the Active School Flag Process The Active School Flag (ASF) is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically active and physically educated school community. The aim of the programme is to get more schools, more active, more often. In order to achieve the ASF our school must: • Self-evaluate across 3 different areas: Physical Education, Physical Activity, Partnerships • Include an Active School Week programme as part of our annual school calendar • Be able to say ‘yes’ to all of the ASF success criteria To find out more visit www.activeschoolflag.ie ASF is a Department of Education and Skills initiative, supported by Healthy Ireland.

3. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Our school is working towards achieving the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG this year. In terms of Physical Education we must: • Provide all pupils with an hour of timetabled PE every week • Teach 5 different PE strands every year in a broad and balanced way (Athletics, Aquatics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics, Outdoor and Adventure • Prioritise a different PE strand for further development each year • Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for PHYSICAL EDUCATION

4. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY In order to achieve the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG our school must: • Provide pupils with twice daily playground breaks • Promote the full range of fundamental movement skills during playground breaks, including running • Organise a non-competitive running initiative for every class that lasts a number of weeks • Promote inclusive physical activity throughout the school day and the school year • Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

5. PARTNERSHIPS In order to achieve the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG our school must: • Work in partnership with pupils, parents, the local community and national agencies to promote a physically active school culture • Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for PARTNERSHIPS

6. ACTIVE SCHOOL WEEK In order to achieve the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG our school must: • Complete at least one Active School Week (ASW) prior to applying for the ASF and thereafter include one as part of the annual school calendar • Prioritise fun and inclusivity during Active School Week • Involve pupils in the design and organisation of the ASW programme • Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for ACTIVE SCHOOL WEEK

7. MORE SCHOOLS, MORE ACTIVE, MORE OFTEN ALL children require 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity EVERY day 80% of Irish primary school children DO NOT reach this target 1 in 4 Irish children are overweight or obese

8. MORE SCHOOLS, MORE ACTIVE, MORE OFTEN SMALL changes can help a lot more Irish children reach their 60 minutes per day: SIT LESS MOVE MORE

9. ACTIVE CHILDREN • Concentrate and Learn Better • Present Fewer Discipline Problems • Achieve Higher Test Results • Enjoy School More

11. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES SCHOOL CHALLENGES FOCUS Increase Physical Activity Decrease Sedentary Behaviour Schools Need to Focus on the 80% of Young People that are NOT Meeting the 60 Minutes Daily Requirement ALL Children Need 60 Minutes of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Every Day