Active Schools in Sunderland: Bringing Movement, Learning and Fun Into the Classroom

At Active Families North East, we believe movement should be part of everyday school life, not just during PE lessons.

Through our Active Schools programme in Sunderland and Washington, we help schools bring more activity, fun and connection into the classroom so children can move more, learn better and thrive.

By working directly with teachers, schools and communities across the North East, we create inclusive opportunities for pupils to build healthy habits, improve wellbeing and enjoy being active together.

What is the Active Schools Programme?

Active Schools is a dedicated programme delivered by Active Families North East for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools across Sunderland, Washington and the wider North East.

Our team works alongside headteachers, PE leads, and classroom staff to increase physical activity in the school day in ways that are engaging, inclusive, and accessible for all pupils.

Depending on your school’s needs, we can support with:

• In-class active learning sessions
• Whole-school activity and wellbeing days
• Playground activity games and challenges
• Breakfast, lunchtime and after-school clubs
• Staff wellbeing sessions
• Combined parent and child activity sessions

These sessions are designed to support well-being, reduce sedentary time, and create a positive, active school culture where pupils feel confident, engaged, and ready to learn.

Many schools also combine Active Schools sessions with other community initiatives, such as the Well-Being Hub in Washington, helping families stay active beyond the classroom.

Active Classrooms That Support Behaviour and Learning

Research consistently shows that when children move more, they focus better and manage their energy and emotions more effectively.

Our active classroom sessions help teachers introduce movement without losing valuable learning time.

Examples include:

• Short movement breaks between lessons to help pupils reset and refocus
• Active maths and English tasks where pupils learn through movement
• Morning energisers or post-lunch activity bursts to improve concentration
• Simple activity routines that teachers can reuse long after our visit

By weaving movement into everyday learning, Sunderland schools can support behaviour, engagement and wellbeing while helping pupils reach recommended physical activity levels.

Whole-School Activity Days and Events

Alongside regular sessions, Active Families North East can support schools with one-off activity days and wellbeing events across Sunderland, Washington and the wider North East.

These events are to bring pupils, staff and families together through fun, inclusive activities.

Examples include:

• Whole-school “Move More” activity days
• Wellbeing and resilience events
• Team challenges and inclusive sports activities
• Family activity sessions where parents join in

Many schools link these events with wider community initiatives such as Holiday Activities programmes or family wellbeing sessions delivered through Active Families NE, helping families stay active together year-round

Inclusive and Community-Focused Activity

At Active Families NE, our work is built around three core ideas:

Movement. Connection. Community.

Our Active Schools programme reflects these values by ensuring activities are inclusive, supportive and accessible, especially for children who may feel less confident in traditional sports settings.

We regularly support pupils who:

• Prefer non-competitive activities
• Have additional needs
• Need support building confidence through movement
• Benefit from social connections and teamwork

This inclusive approach also connects with other programmes delivered by Active Families NE, including Mission 2 Mobility, which supports movement and wellbeing across different age groups in the community.

Our goal is to build healthier communities through movement at every stage of life. Alongside our school programmes, we also support adults through community activity initiatives such as gentle exercise classes for older adults, helping families stay active together.

Why Schools Across Sunderland Choose Active Families NE

Schools partner with Active Families North East because our programmes are flexible, supportive and rooted in local communities across the North East.

We understand the pressures schools face, so our sessions are designed to fit easily into the school day while delivering real impact.

Benefits for your school may include:

• More active, engaged pupils
• Improved focus and classroom behaviour
• Increased pupil confidence and wellbeing
• Stronger connections between pupils, staff and families
• Practical activity ideas teachers can continue using

Many schools also connect their pupils and families to wider community programmes such as Active Forever sessions for older adults or family activity opportunities in the Well-Being Hub, helping create healthier communities across the North East.

Bring Active Schools to Your School

If your school in Sunderland, Washington, or the wider North East would like to explore how Active Families NE can support your pupils, we would love to hear from you.

Our team can help you introduce:

• Regular in-school activity sessions
• Active classroom learning
• Whole-school wellbeing events
• Staff training to support active learning

To learn more:

• Visit the Active Schools section on our website
• Explore our Sunderland and Washington class timetables
• Contact the team at info@activefamiliesne.co.uk or 0191 516 6083

Together, we can help children across the North East move more, feel better and thrive.