However, the transition to secondary education proves to be a stumbling block: while primary school pupils become accustomed to plenty of physical activity, secondary school pupils often revert to a sedentary daily routine. This prompted Weltens to expand the programme to six secondary schools. Each of these schools is looking in its own way for opportunities to integrate more physical activity, for example into lessons, breaks or after-school activities. Often, this involves small changes, such as sports zones or more play equipment. Long-term cooperation is important, with schools continuing to receive support after the initial phase, for example through physical activity teams.
The Healthy School approach helps schools establish more physical activity structurally. It combines external experts and interventions with strong internal organisation, such as working groups, vision development and cooperation with partners including the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity and local initiatives such as the Sports Agreement.
A major challenge remains motivating teenagers and making use of often limited space. That is why pupils are actively involved in the process, for example by contributing ideas for physically active schoolyards.
The most important tip for schools is to start small: formulate a clear ambition, involve a Healthy School adviser and set up a physical activity team including, among others, a Dynamic School Day coordinator. Large-scale changes are not immediately necessary; even small steps can make a big difference without requiring extra lesson time.