Extended school hours and unstructured play

During the annual launch of Jump Rope for Heart, a BHF fundraising initiative in schools, the BHF highlighted the importance of unstructured play during extended school hours::

Extending school hours is an excellent opportunity to ensure children participate in unstructured play (activities such as skipping rather than hockey) - the main way most children get their physical activity. The charity is calling on the extended school workforce to ensure children get active by freeing up plenty of time and creating the environments suitable for play.

The move towards an extended school day is an opportunity for the government to give children more chances to play. Play is not a frivolous extra – it should be a fundamental and valued part of school life.

For further information please email policy@bhf.org.uk

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