Boys Move

Overview

Boys Move is a professional development programme designed to equip educators with the principles of how to use sport and play to address the mental health and behaviour issues of adolescent boys, improve their wellbeing, and engage them with school.

Evidence of Need

In a post-Covid society we are seeing more incidents of poor mental health and behaviour in adolescent boys in our most underserved communities. This is leading to poor engagement with school life, increases in exclusions and non-attendance, and a low sense of belonging.

Evidence has shown that, when structured appropriately, sport has the potential to enhance social and emotional functioning, enhance health-related quality of life and develop protective factors against poor mental health.

Did you know?

69th
British 15-year-olds ranked 69th out of 72 countries in the world for life satisfaction, with boys in particular among the least satisfied with their lives
77%
of permanent school exclusions across England were boys
3.5
Black Caribbean boys are three and a half times more likely to receive a permanent exclusion compared with white boys

Ways to Access

Free digital resources

You can access a range of digital resources including the evidence review, theory of change, and introductory videos here. This approach requires a lead member of staff to understand the challenges to boys’ mental health and wellbeing, the principles of engagement and how to design their own project that addresses the needs of the boys in your school.

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Deliver this programme

This programme is based on practitioner CPD for secondary schools, alternative education settings including pupil referral units, and special schools. It can be purchased on behalf of a cluster or group of schools such as a SETT cluster, MAT, School Games cluster or through a local funding opportunity (e.g. local authority, public health, trust or foundation). If you are interested in delivering this programme in your area please get in touch.

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Can I join this programme?

On occasion we will seek new schools to participate in the Boys Move programme. These will often be schools from specific geographical areas where we have identified a need for targeted support. You can see which programmes we have currently recruiting and your eligibility here.

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Impact to Date

Boys Move has had a tangible impact on:

  • Increased engagement in physical activity
  • Increased engagement in extra-curricular sport inside and outside of school
  • Increased engagement in school, including attendance, punctuality, and participation in lessons
  • Improved relationships between both the young people and their peers and staff
  • Improved mental health, behaviour and wellbeing with increases in fulfilling potential.

Boys Move impact graphic

This programme taught me that I don't need to be ashamed that I can't play PE that well and that I don't need to listen to what people think of me. It taught me that I can do anything.

Boys Move participant
Boys Move participant

Contact Us

If you would like to find out more about this programme then get in touch with us today.

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