LBU experts to develop online resources for Creating Active Schools

Creating Active Schools has been developed by sector experts and current practitioners to change perceptions and behaviours around physical activity in schools. It is a research based, whole school behaviour change approach to increasing and improving physical activity in schools.

Dr Victoria Archbold, Professor Jim McKenna and Professor Dave Morley have been awarded the contract and will work with the Association for Physical Education (afPE) to develop the modules which will be launched in September 2022.

Dr Victoria Archbold said: “We are excited to be working alongside afPE and the Creating Active Schools team to create innovative, purposeful behavioural science modules that will work for schools and teachers to support organisational physical activity change.”

This work creates an exciting partnership with LBU and afPE and will see academics working collaboratively with JU:MP, Active Bradford, and Yorkshire Sports Foundation.

Dr Andy Daly-Smith, Co-Researcher Director of the Sport England funded JU:MP programme and research lead for Creating Active Schools said: “It is exciting to be working with Leeds Beckett University and afPE, two of the organisations involved in the development of the original Creating Active Schools framework.

“Through this partnership, we will deliver ground-breaking e-learning modules that integrate the latest principles from behavioural science and gamification that will truly create organisational and cultural change for physical activity in schools.”

Sue Wilkinson MBE, CEO of association for Physical Education (afPE) said: “We have reached an important crossroads; whereby we must ensure that the school workforce has access to transformational professional development opportunities, that will create an attitudinal and behavioural change in children and young peoples physical activity levels.

“The partnership between Leeds Beckett University and afPE is unique and we are both positive and excited that this ground breaking work will result in a significant impact within schools, at a time when physical activity and PE must be front and central to school life.”