The Active School Hero award has returned for 2021 to celebrate the unsung work of school staff who are inspiring and supporting children to be more active.
The campaign, orchestrated and backed by ukactive Kids and Nike, will recognise primary school staff who encourage physical activity amongst schoolchildren, helping to support their mental and physical health.
Studies have shown that active children do better in school, and in life. However the Covid-19 pandemic has seen participation in sporting activities significantly decrease amongst children and young people due to the closure of schools and leisure facilities, with a drop of 16% in activities such as team sports, running and swimming.
Despite an incredibly difficult and uncertain 12 months, school staff have continued to play their role in getting young people active. Some of last year's winners, Reon Thomas (London) and Gemma Spiers (Birmingham), are pictured above and below.
The Active School Hero award, now in its third year, is being backed by Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead and hurdler Jessie Knight, and will see finalists nominated from across nine English regions, ahead of an overall winner to be announced at a special ceremony in July.
Jessie, who balances a track career with her job as a primary schoolteacher in Surrey said: “You don’t have to be an athlete to inspire kids to be active; there are unsung heroes in every school who inspire pupils to experience the fun and enjoyment of physical activity every day.
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“Being active is so important for our children’s physical and mental health, helping them to lead happier, healthier lives, and also building their social skills and confidence.
“I have the pleasure of seeing first hand the positive mindset that school staff bring to young people through physical activity, and I want every community to celebrate this by nominating an Active School Hero today.”
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Schools and their staff have faced such a challenging year but despite this there are incredible examples of heroes in every school helping to keep children positive through physical activity.
“Being active has a profound impact on our children’s health and happiness, so Active School Hero gives us all the opportunity to recognise the unsung heroes that have helped to keep pupils active, particularly amid the disruption of the pandemic.
“We know that when children are not in school during the holidays their activity levels fall, meaning this year the role played by school staff is even more vital for their physical and mental health.
“Let’s celebrate every Active School Hero for the energy and positivity they bring.”
Nominate your Active School Hero.
In related news: The ukactive Awards have returned after being cancelled in 2020. Entries are now open for five awards, and must be submitted before 5pm on Friday 7th May. To apply for the ukactive Awards 2021 and to read the Entry Guide click here.
