Promoting Physical Activity Through the Extra‐Curricular Programme

This paper aimed to establish the nature and extent of physical activity promotion within secondary schools’ extra‐curricular programmes and presents selected findings from a larger study which investigated physical activity promotion within a whole school context. Questionnaires were completed by 42 secondary school PE Heads of Department (PEHoDs) in central England and follow‐up interviews were conducted with a small sample of the PEHoDs (n=9). Questions covered a range of contexts for promoting physical activity promotion, including the extra‐curricular programme.

The findings suggest that extra‐curricular activities continue to thrive in many schools. Of some concern however, was the limited range and focus of the activities offered which were heavily biased towards games and competitive sport. It was concluded that if extra‐curricular activities are to successfully promote physical activity, then a broad and balanced programme of activities should be provided which caters for the needs and interests of all pupils.

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Notes on contributors

Di Bass

Di Bass and Lorraine Cale are with the Department of Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management, Loughborough University, UK.