What is the School Games?

The School Games is a national programme that feels different in every community, by making sure activities meet local needs.

It has ten guiding principles:

1. Tackle inequality by working with those who need it most
2. Make everything safe, fair, and worthwhile
3. Help young people learn physical skills through fun experiences
4. Give young people a voice and real choices
5. Work and learn together in local areas
6. Share the positive stories of what we achieve
7. Support the Chief Medical Officer’s advice on daily physical activity
8. Help schools on their School Games journey and celebrate their progress
9. Increase participation in secondary schools
10. Connect young people to community sport opportunities.

Our mission and vision

The School Games aims to:

• Make a positive difference in young lives
• Put sport and activity at the heart of schools
• Let young people learn, compete, and do their best.

What Makes an Activity Part of the School Games?

An activity becomes part of the School Games when it:

• Includes everyone so all young people can stay active for 60 minutes a day (20 minutes for SEND students)
• Meets local needs with flexibility to adapt to the community
• Gives students a voice, letting them lead or support the activity
• Creates a good experience, so taking part is fun and builds confidence.
• Links to local clubs so young people can continue after school
• Reflects our values, which include determination, honesty, respect, teamwork, passion, self-belief, and a caring attitude towards the planet
• Is designed with youth input, ensuring it’s age-appropriate and built by young people
• Follows sport guidelines, using standard formats set by national sports organisations.