Keeping Children Active: The Sedbergh Approach to Sport and Wellbeing
As new research from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that one in four adolescents worldwide reported no days with at least 60 minutes of physical activity in the previous week, Sedbergh School is highlighting the importance of making sport, movement and outdoor adventure an integral part of everyday school life.
The latest WHO findings raise important questions about the opportunities young people have to remain physically active. With growing concerns surrounding screen time, increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the long-term implications for physical and mental wellbeing, the role of schools in encouraging movement has arguably never been more important.
At Sedbergh School, situated between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, physical activity is not confined to the timetable. It is woven into the fabric of school life, with pupils encouraged to participate in sport, explore the outdoors, develop new interests and enjoy the benefits of being active throughout the week. As one of Britain’s few remaining full boarding schools, with approximately 98% of pupils boarding seven days a week, Sedbergh offers an environment where opportunities for physical activity extend well beyond the traditional school day.
From competitive fixtures and recreational sport to outdoor adventures and informal activities with friends, pupils are encouraged to embrace an active lifestyle.
The School offers an extensive range of sports, including rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, football, athletics, swimming, tennis, golf, rowing and equestrian activities. Importantly, participation is not reserved for the most talented athletes. The emphasis is on ensuring that every pupil has the opportunity to discover activities they enjoy, develop confidence and establish positive habits that can last a lifetime.
Sedbergh’s remarkable location provides an additional advantage. Surrounded by some of Britain’s most spectacular landscapes, pupils have opportunities to experience the physical and mental benefits of spending time outdoors.
Outdoor education, walking, running and adventurous activities are important elements of school life, helping pupils develop resilience, independence and an appreciation for the natural environment.
The School’s famous Wilson Run, a challenging cross-country tradition dating back more than a century, is perhaps one of the most distinctive examples of Sedbergh’s commitment to physical endeavour, determination and community spirit.
While the physical benefits of exercise are widely recognised, Sedbergh believes that the value of participation extends much further.
Sport and physical activity provide opportunities for pupils to build friendships, learn teamwork, develop leadership skills and experience the satisfaction of overcoming challenges.
For many young people, finding an activity they enjoy can be transformational, particularly when participation is encouraged in a supportive environment where personal progress matters just as much as competitive success.
Keeping Children Active Beyond Term Time: Sedbergh Courses
Sedbergh’s commitment to encouraging active lifestyles does not end when the school term finishes. Through Sedbergh Courses, the opportunities to enjoy sport, develop new skills and make lasting friendships extend into the school holidays, welcoming children from across the UK and overseas, not just those attending Sedbergh School.
With programmes taking place during the October half-term, February half-term, Easter and summer holidays, Sedbergh Courses supports families in keeping children active during key school breaks, when opportunities for structured sport and physical activity can sometimes be more limited.
Offering an exceptional range of residential and day sports camps, Sedbergh Courses provides children with opportunities to participate in rugby, football, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics and other exciting activities, whether they are developing existing sporting talents or discovering a new passion.
As part of Sedbergh Schools Group, these opportunities extend across four distinctive school settings: Sedbergh School, Sedbergh Prep School, Terrington Hall Prep School in North Yorkshire and Ardvreck School in Perthshire, Scotland.
By opening up the Group’s facilities, expertise and sporting environments to the wider community, Sedbergh Courses plays an important role in making sport more accessible and ensuring that the benefits of physical activity are not restricted to term time or to pupils attending the Group’s schools. The emphasis is on enjoyment, participation, confidence and personal development, creating memorable holiday experiences that encourage children to remain active throughout the year.
The WHO findings underline the importance of providing young people with regular and accessible opportunities to be active, both during the school term and throughout the holidays.
At Sedbergh, the combination of a full boarding community, extensive sporting provision, outdoor education and a culture that celebrates participation helps create an environment in which physical activity is a natural and enjoyable part of growing up.
Through Sedbergh Courses, this philosophy reaches beyond the School’s own pupils, providing opportunities for children and families from across the country and internationally to experience the benefits of sport, adventure and an active lifestyle.
In a world where too many young people are missing out on the benefits of regular physical activity, Sedbergh Schools Group is committed to making movement, adventure and participation part of everyday life, both during term time and throughout the school holidays.