Every Movement Counts: What the Updated Physical Activity Guidelines Mean for Schools

Every Movement Counts: What the Updated Physical Activity Guidelines Mean for Schools

 

What is the CMO’s Physical Activity Guidance?

Ask a room full of teachers, school staff or parents how much physical activity children should be getting each day and you might get a surprising range of answers.

30 minutes? An hour? Does PE count? Does walking to school count? What about running around at lunchtime?

In July 2026, the UK Chief Medical Officers refreshed their physical activity guidelines, providing an important reminder of just how much movement matters for children’s health and wellbeing.

The recommended amount of physical activity hasn’t changed. For children and young people aged 5–18, the guidance remains:

Aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of physical activity 

per day across the week, spread throughout the day. 

Activities should make children breathe faster and feel warmer.

But while the numbers haven’t changed, some of the messages around them have become even stronger. So what’s new?

The refreshed guidance reflects the latest evidence around physical activity and sedentary behaviour. One of its most important messages is very simple:

Every movement counts.

The evidence increasingly shows that health benefits begin when we move from being inactive to doing some activity. More activity brings greater benefits, but movement doesn’t need to happen in long, structured exercise sessions to make a difference.

There is also renewed emphasis on the benefits of:

• light-intensity activity, 
• reducing prolonged periods of sitting, 
• incorporating activities that develop strength and balance, 
• everyday movements - walking, wheeling, taking the stairs, dancing and active play can all contribute towards being physically active.

For children aged 5–18, the updated infographic continues to encourage a variety of activity across the week that develops movement skills and muscle and bone strength, alongside the message to reduce inactivity.

What about Early Years?

For children aged 1–5, the recommendation is at least 180 minutes of physical activity throughout the day. The updated Early Years guidance also carries the important message: Every movement counts.

What does this mean for you as school staff?

Physical activity doesn't begin and end with the PE lesson.

A brilliant PE curriculum is hugely important, but schools have opportunities to get children moving throughout the whole school day.

• Could pupils move while learning? 
• Could a 5-minute active learning task replace 5 minutes sitting at a desk? 
• Could transitions involve movement? 
• Could break and lunchtime environments encourage more active play? 
• Could children walk, run or wheel as part of an activity rather than completing everything from their seats?

Those little opportunities matter.

Active learning can also bring benefits beyond simply adding movement to the day. The Government's updated infographic specifically identifies improved concentration and learning, alongside benefits including coordination, confidence and social skills, muscles and bones, sleep, health and fitness, and feeling good.

This doesn't mean turning every maths lesson into a workout or expecting children to be constantly on the move. It means recognising that movement can be woven naturally into the school day.

A few minutes here. An active transition there. Walking to school. An energetic breaktime. Active learning in the classroom. PE. A lunchtime club. Dancing at home.

Individually, they might seem small but together, they add up.

60 minutes is still the goal, and every step towards it matters.

The refreshed evidence helps us move away from an all-or-nothing mindset. If a child isn't currently achieving 60 minutes, that doesn't mean 10 minutes isn't worthwhile.

Some movement is better than none.

For our least active children in particular, finding small, achievable ways to move more could be an incredibly important starting point. The Government says the biggest health gains occur when people move from inactivity to any level of activity. 

A whole-school, whole-family approach

Schools can play a huge part, but they can't do it alone.

PE, active lessons, breaktimes, lunchtimes, clubs and active travel can all contribute during the school day. At home, walking, cycling, playing outside, swimming, dancing, going to the park or simply getting up and moving all count too.

The updated guidance gives us a great opportunity to start conversations with staff, pupils and families about what being active actually looks like.

It doesn't have to mean being the fastest runner, joining a sports team or being brilliant at PE. Movement belongs to everybody.

Encourage your community to take part in an activity from ‘Active Families’. 

No password or login required, just head to getset4education.co.uk and click on ‘Home Learning’ you will find a variety of activities suitable for EYFS through to KS2 and beyond! 

Why not advertise this on:

• Your school website
• Your newsletters
• Your online learning platform 

How about setting challenges and rewards:

• Take part in the National Fitness Day Challenge (It doesn’t just have to be done on the 16th September!)
• Try the Active Challenge Calendar
• ‘One piece at a time’ our life puzzle.

 

Move more. Sit less. Make movement part of everyday life. 

Every movement counts.