What is the School Games?

It is underpinned by ten principles to achieve the vision, mission, and outcomes. These include:

1. Tackle local inequalities by working with young people in greatest need
2. Ensure everything that we do is safe, inclusive, accessible and meaningful
3. Improve the physical literacy of young people through positive experiences
4. Drive equal access; embed youth voice to give young people a choice and opportunity
5. Collaborate, share and learn locally, determining need that reflects agendas
6. Celebrate the difference we make to young people; share through effective storytelling
7. Champion the Chief Medical Officer’s active minutes guidelines as a universal expectation and support schools to reflect this in their provision
8. Contribute to school agendas by taking them on our School Games journey and celebrate their engagement through tools such as School Games Mark
9. Increase secondary engagement and opportunities
10. Connect communities and ensure young people can access appropriate local opportunities.

Our mission and vision

The School Games will:

• make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of young people
• put physical activity and sport at the heart of schools
• provide young people with the opportunity to enjoy and learn through competition to achieve their personal best.

What makes an activity School Games?

• Inclusion and Accessibility - Ensures all young people, regardless of ability or background, can take part and achieve 60 Active Minutes of physical activity a day.
• Addresses Local Needs - Activities designed to support specific groups of young people who would benefit the most, with flexibility for local adaptation.
• Youth Voice and Leadership - Provides young people with leading, coaching, or officiating opportunities to support personal development.
• Positive Experience and Engagement - Focuses on enjoyment to encourage regular involvement in sport and physical activity.
• Community Links - Activities signpost young people to relevant community sports opportunities for continued participation.
• Spirit of the Games Values - Promotes determination, eco-friendliness, honesty, passion, respect, self-belief, and teamwork.
• Youth-Informed Design - Activities are age-appropriate and involve young people in their design and delivery.
• School Games Formats - Incorporates National Governing Body competition formats to enhance structure and engagement.