School Games Mark engagement nears pre-pandemic peak as schools help drive recovery in children’s activity.
Loughborough, UK. 5th February, 2026 – Leading children’s charity, Youth Sport Trust, has welcomed a significant increase in School Games Mark engagement, with applications reaching their highest level since 2018 and marking a renewed momentum in schools’ commitment to sport, wellbeing and physical activity. This growth follows the disruption of the pandemic and reflects a sector re-energised around getting children active. The rise mirrors findings from Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, which has tracked children’s activity since 2017–18 and now shows activity levels at their highest ever recorded.
This progress comes at a critical time. With growing concerns over children’s inactivity, rising obesity rates, and increasing mental health pressures, schools’ commitment to prioritising movement and wellbeing has never been more important. In the 2024/25 academic year, 9,539 schools applied for a School Games Mark Award, including 540 first-time applicants: an overall increase of 6% on the previous year and the second-highest number since the programme began. These results mean 2.8 million young people are now attending schools recognised for providing high-quality sport and physical activity opportunities.
The School Games Mark recognises schools that deliver on the School Games pledges by tackling inequalities in access to physical activity, empowering young people through leadership and youth voice, building physical literacy and supporting every child to meet the UK’s Chief Medical Officer’s recommendation of achieving 60 active minutes per day (20 minutes for students with special educational needs and disabilities).
Growth has been driven in part by a significant rise in secondary school engagement, with a 10% increase in applications this year; the second-highest number of secondary schools applying since the award began. This shift signals a positive change in attitudes at secondary level, where competing curriculum pressures have historically made sustained engagement in physical activity more challenging.
Standards across the network remain high. Of all schools applying for a School Games Mark Award, 83% achieved either Gold or Platinum, demonstrating the high quality of offerings. In particular, the Platinum award, which can only be obtained after five successive gold awards, highlights schools’ commitments to continuous improvement in how they engage young people in sport and physical activity.
The West Lancashire area submitted the highest number of School Games Mark applications in the country this year, highlighting a strong local commitment to getting children active. Mark Forster, the School Games Organiser for West Lancashire said, “The School Games Mark recognises the everyday work our schools do to make physical activity and meaningful competition inclusive for every child. The process also helps schools identify areas for development and provides a clear national benchmark to support sustained improvement year on year. Achieving so many awards locally reflects the ambition of our schools and the strength of the partnership between the School Games Organiser and schools across the area.”
Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, said, “These figures reflect a real shift in how schools value physical activity as a fundamental part of a young person’s education. The growth we are seeing, particularly in secondary schools, highlights a deepening understanding that being active supports wellbeing, inclusion and academic achievement. Schools are choosing to prioritise this work, even in a challenging educational landscape, and that is something to be celebrated. The high quality of PE and sport offerings across England is a testament to the dedication of schools and the wider School Games network.
“We are incredibly grateful for Sport England and the National Lottery for funding the programme, as well as our partners in the School Games network, National Governing Bodies of Sport and Active Partnerships for their great collaboration which has helped drive this growth.”
The School Games Mark Award continues to play a vital role in recognising and celebrating schools delivering outstanding physical education, school sport and opportunities for young people to be active, supporting both wellbeing and personal development.
To register or find more information for 2025/26, head to the School Games Website.
About the Youth Sport Trust
The Youth Sport Trust is the leading UK children’s charity for improving young people’s health and wellbeing through sport and play. We empower young people and equip educators to build brighter futures through the power of physical activity. Founded in 1995, we work with around 20,000 schools and provides opportunities for over two million children every year. Our vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport.
For media enquiries please contact press@youthsporttrust.org.
About School Games
The School Games is a nationwide, Government-backed initiative which puts physical activity and school sport at the heart of schools and provides young people with the opportunity to enjoy and learn through competition to achieve their personal best. The School Games is funded by Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust through a network of over 450 School Games Organisers (SGOs), National Governing Bodies and Active Partnerships in every county.
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