Joy of moving in UK Schools
An unbranded, in-school programme to inspire children of all abilities to move through play.
Joy of moving Project
The Joy of moving Project is a mixture of in-classroom and activity-based learning, delivered to children aged 9-10. Over a six-week period, each child gets 9 hours of dedicated learning about the importance of getting active, the connection between the body & mind, hydration, meal planning and balanced diets based on the NHS Eatwell Guide – all through fun games and activities inspired by the Joy of moving methodology.
Joy of moving Festivals
The Joy of moving Festivals, which are similar to a traditional sports day, encourage children of all ages and abilities to move through play with simple and fun games that are delivered over a half, or whole, day during the summer term. At the Festivals, children play specially designed Joy of moving games and activities which help them to develop key skills including communication, empathy and teamwork.
Who is delivering the programme?
Through Joy of moving’s long-term partnership with EFL in the Community and SPFL Trust, the programme is delivered up and down the country in over 600 schools through the EFL in the Community and SPFL Trust’s network of Clubs and Club Community Organisations across the England, Wales and Scotland.
Programme results
600,000
children inspired to move through play
3,000,000+
hours of learning
What our schools have said
“The class have really enjoyed the programme. They have engaged well, and some reluctant PE participants have taken part and thoroughly enjoyed it. The children have also gained a much better understanding on how to eat healthy and keep hydrated. I would recommend this programme.”
Callum Phillips
Year 5 Teacher at Cwmffrwdoer Primary School (County in the Community)
"The children and staff absolutely loved the event! They are still buzzing about it and are eager for every Monday to be like that. Thank you so much to you and the team for such a fun and engaging day. I feel like it has helped to get the buzz back in school about the positives of PE and fitness."
Christina Cartledge
PE Lead, FlanderWell School on Joy of moving Festival (Rotherham United Community Sport Trust)
“The programme has made a huge difference at our school. As teachers we are obviously constrained to teach national curriculum subjects, so to have Millwall FC Community Trust come in and deliver Joy of moving has been fantastic. I am convinced that all the children who took part now have a much better understanding of what a healthy, balanced meal looks like. The programme really is a game-changer.”
Teacher at Holy Trinity Primary School (Millwall)
“The children have felt really involved and included in the sessions, I have heard them talking about Joy of Moving in their friend’s groups about the tasks and assessing each other's meals at home for who eats the healthiest."
Teacher on sessions delivered by Sheffield United FC Community Foundation
"It’s great to see the children learn about the importance of hydration when they are doing sport or physical activity. Having Derby County Community Trust come in and do this for the children, it’s brilliant for them. They are loving it."
Mr. Attwood
Teacher at Brookfield Primary School (Derby)
Success of the programme
98% of teachers would recommend the Joy of moving project to other schools/colleagues
99% of teachers felt that children had a better understanding of how many days they should do physical activity
97% of teachers felt children had a better understanding of the importance of a balanced diet
94% of children who took part in the programme felt the six weeks had given them new ideas to get active
Ready to get involved?
Anyone can get involved with the Joy of moving. We have developed simple fun games to inspire children of all ages to develop life skills by learning through play.