The Mulier Institute examined four components:

  • the different active elements/exercise moments during the day;
  • the school’s policy;
  • the social and physical environment;
  • the people and organisations involved.

The four schools

The four schools were:

  • CBS Het Lichtpunt in Rhoon.
  • Margarethaschool in Arnhem.
  • CBS De Waterhof in Delft.
  • KBS De Spits in Utrecht.

Many different exercise moments during the school day

The schools provide many different exercise moments during and between lessons. For example:

  • in the classroom, through active learning or energisers;
  • physical education, by providing at least the required number of hours and investing extra in the motor development of children in the lower grades;
  • during break time, by organising outdoor play with activities, playground supervisors and junior coaches;
  • after school, by giving all pupils the opportunity to take part in sports activities after school hours.

Including exercise in school policy

To implement the various exercise moments during the school day, it is important that exercise is part of the school’s policy. This is the case at three of the four schools. At two schools, the policy states that children should have an exercise moment every 30 minutes.

Staff support is crucial

Three of the four schools have invested in building support among the school team for encouraging exercise. This began with one driving force, who received support from a core team (often called an exercise team). According to the schools, this support is indispensable.

Case studies at four primary schools

For this study, four case studies were conducted at primary schools. The researchers spoke with the principal, a specialist teacher and at least one classroom teacher at each school. For each school, the researchers mapped out how they integrate more exercise into the school day and what other schools can learn from this.

Read the full findings in the report ‘More exercise during the school day'.