The Surprising Truth: Why Movement Matters More Than Schools Think

The other day, I stood in a school playground and saw something that made me smile – children actually moving non-stop, totally engaged in varied play. It was brilliant. Because movement matters.

The school had thought carefully about its playground space, zoning it for different age groups and activities (skipping, football, tennis, table tennis, quiet zones and more), making sure the children felt encouraged to get stuck into what they wanted. Honestly, it was one of the best playground setups I’ve ever seen (and it was a primary school of over 1,000 children, so no excuses allowed.)

But here’s the thing – this kind of proactive approach to movement feels rarer than it should be and running Dan the Skipping Man® I see schools nationwide all the time. Schools aren’t just battling budget crises; they’re also in the thick of a mental health crisis (anecdotally but 100% understandable) . And yet, despite all the evidence that physical health and mental well-being go hand in hand, PE and structured movement often get pushed down the priority list. Playtime? More of an afterthought than a fundamental part of the day.

With budgets getting tighter, schools are being forced to justify every single penny they spend – especially in PE. But in the race to cut costs, are we asking the right questions?

• Are children actually moving enough?
• Are they getting the daily activity they need to feel refreshed, focused, and happy?
• Is the school community – children, teachers, everyone – thriving?
• And most importantly, how do we make movement a natural, long-term part of school life?

Time to Rethink Our Approach

If we’re pushing for innovation and constant improvement in education – mirroring the corporate world – shouldn’t we be looking at what actually works? Because, if sidelining movement isn’t working, and obsessing over academic targets isn’t solving all our problems, maybe it’s time for a rethink. Movement matters.

Instead of treating movement like an occasional intervention, why not make it a key tool for learning?

• Just had 15 minutes of focused learning? Follow it up with some movement to refresh the brain.
• A tough half-hour of maths? A quick two-minute activity to reset and boost endorphins.
• A healthy lunch? Time to hit the playground with real, structured activities – not just a free-for-all. A space led by skilled activity supervisors who activate movement instead of just “watching the children.”

It’s Not Just About the Children

Yes, children are at the heart of this (at Dan the Skipping Man®, they’re a major reason we do what we do). But let’s not forget the staff. Teachers and school teams are stretched to their limits – long hours, barely any real breaks, little time to breathe. And yet, they’re expected to be the ones inspiring, engaging, and delivering results.

So when we run skipping sessions in schools, we make sure the staff join in. Not just as a token effort, but as part of a real culture shift.

• It shows children that movement isn’t just for them – it’s for everyone and extends into adulthood.
• It sets a powerful example when respected adults join in.
• It gives teachers a chance to reset, to switch off, even for a moment, and just have fun.
• It reinforces a way of life where movement isn’t a luxury – it’s a normal, necessary part of a healthy day.
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Time to Flip the Priorities

Health and fitness should be at the top of a school’s priority list, not something we squeeze in when there’s time. Can we really afford to let school communities slide into inactivity just because there are targets to hit? And honestly—if we did prioritise movement, wouldn’t academic outcomes improve in the long run anyway? Research suggests this may well happen!

Happiness. Balance. Active, engaged school communities. That’s what we should be building.

Movement matters. Let’s start acting on it!

Let’s make movement and confidence part of the culture. If you’d like to find out about our skipping days, take a look here.