School Games SGO Update - October 2026
Welcome to the October School Games network update for SGOs.
Catch up on previous editions of the newsletter.
Actions
Book Your Place at the Regional Conferences 2026
A reminder that bookings are open for the School Games and Advocacy Network Regional Conferences, taking place across six locations this November and December. Join colleagues from across the network to hear the latest developments, share ideas, and explore priorities for 2026/27. Places are limited, so book your preferred location now.
School Games Mark 2026/27 Criteria Now Available
The new School Games Mark Criteria for 2026/27 is now available. Explore the updated criteria and start planning your School Games Mark journey for the year ahead. With a focus on recognising and celebrating the impact of your school’s physical activity and school sport offer, now is a great time to promote the new criteria with your schools. Schools are also encouraged to complete the Inclusive Health Check this term to support their application.
More New School Games formats Now Available!
Hot on the heels of our last round of redesigned sport formats, we now also have brand-new formats for Cricket, Judo, Orienteering, and Rowing, with options across Primary, Secondary, and SEND settings. Updated formats are now available across 30+ sports, so take a look at the latest formats and make sure you’re using the most up-to-date versions for your School Games events.
Save the Date: National School Sports Week 2027
Youth Sport Trust's National School Sports Week returns 21-27 June 2027! Save the date and get ready to celebrate the power of sport and physical activity, inspiring more young people to get active and enjoy the benefits of movement. Look out for resources and ideas to help your schools get involved!
Updates
Inclusive Health Check Week - Thank You!
As a result of our Inclusive Health Check Week (28 September - 02 October 2026), we're delighted to confirm that 464 schools completed the Inclusive Health Check this year, an increase of 136 schools compared to last year. In addition, 87 SGOs completed the Check, up from 26 last year.A huge thank you to SGOs and schools for championing the Inclusive Health Check and engaging with the process. Your promotion, encouragement, and commitment have contributed to a fantastic increase in completions and will help strengthen inclusive practice across the School Games network.
Summer Term Impact Awards: Shortlist Announced
A massive congratulations to the following individuals who have been shortlisted for an Impact Award from the summer term:
- Andrew O’Connell (Engaging Schools)
- Hannah Lane (Positive Experiences for Targeted Young People)
- Andy Pope (Secondary School Engagement and Transition)
- Lauren Donnelly (Personal Development and Youth Voice)
- Jane Johnson (Engaging Stakeholders)
- Andrew Steckbeck (School Innovation and Impact)
- Emma Mooney (Best Learning Through Adversity)
- Claire and Andy Tennyson (School Games Sustainability Award)
School Games Podcast: New Term, New Episodes
Listen to the first two episodes of this year's School Games podcast!
- In Episode 20, we reflect on the summer's case studies - what we want to celebrate and what we would like to see more of this year.
- In Episode 21, we explored this term's shortlistee for the School Games Sustainability award: a project using recycled bikes to supply young people from low-income families and promote active travel.
Catch up on previous episodes.
Inclusive PE and Sport: Explore the Support Toolkit
As a reminder, we have a new toolkit that has been co-written with seven National Disability Sport Organisations, which provides top tips on how to provide impairment-specific support within PE, sport, and physical activity. It also includes signposting to opportunities to upskill knowledge further.Explore the toolkit today.
Showcasing Impact
Award-Winning Practice
Kyle Wright's SAYLS project supported disadvantaged young people through qualifications, mentoring, leadership, and volunteering opportunities in sport and health. Its co-designed pathways built confidence, improved employability, and created progression routes from education into employment.
Good Practice in Action
Take a look at Nico Stone's Quidditch case study, which engaged young people who were missing out on physical activity opportunities. It targeted young people with fun activity and fostered a low-pressure environment, as youth voice indicated.
Support and Offers
Girls Active Research 2026
New Girls Active research reveals a rise in gender stereotypes, with 41% of boys believing some sports are for boys and others for girls. Fewer than half of girls feel they have equal opportunities to access the same range of sports as boys in PE, while peer comments can undermine participation, from boys’ gender-based remarks to girls’ criticism of others’ appearance.Explore the findings to understand the barriers girls face and how schools can help make sport more inclusive for everyone.
Jack Petchey Table Tennis Programme
Table Tennis England, supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation, is expanding its offer to schools across London and Essex this year. Alongside the established Table Donation Scheme (helping schools and clubs access table tennis equipment) and Schools Competitions (competitive opportunities for young people in schools), they're excited to introduce three new elements this year:
- Development Competitions (grassroots competitive opportunities for young players);
- Teachers/Leaders Courses (training for teachers and youth leaders to deliver table tennis sessions); and
- Girls Festival (designed to encourage more girls into the sport).
Find out more here.
England Hockey: Teacher Training and Youth Voice Opportunities
England Hockey is offering free online teacher training, introducing the Junior Hockey Framework, teaching resources, and practical delivery tips.
England Hockey is also seeking state primary and secondary schools to share pupils’ and teachers’ experiences of hockey in PE and the School Games. Schools using the new framework, or secondary schools relatively new to hockey, are particularly encouraged to get involved.Contact [email protected] for training queries, or [email protected] about Youth Voice opportunities.
Fix the Kit Campaign - Uniform for Learning
DfE guidance encourages schools to consider practicality, comfort, and affordability when developing uniform policies, including PE kit. Youth Sport Trust’s Uniform for Learning brings together evidence, guidance, and practical examples to help schools create more inclusive approaches.Resources include a free Inclusive Sportswear tool, research into allowing pupils to wear PE kit throughout the school day, and Always Active Uniform, designed to support movement. Schools can use the resources to review their full uniform policy or focus on specific areas where change could improve pupils’ experiences.Explore Uniform for Learning.