2. ABOUT the Active School Flag Process
The Active School Flag (ASF) is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically active and physically educated school community.
The aim of the programme is to get more schools, more active, more often.
In order to achieve the ASF our school must:
Self-evaluate across 3 different areas: Physical Education, Physical Activity, Partnerships
Include an Active School Week programme as part of our annual school calendar
Be able to say ‘yes’ to all of the ASF success criteria
To find out more visit
ASF is a Department of Education and Skills initiative, supported by Healthy Ireland.

3. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Our school is working towards achieving the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG this year. In terms of Physical Education we must:
Provide all pupils with an hour of timetabled PE every week
Teach 5 different PE strands every year in a broad and balanced way (Athletics, Aquatics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics, Outdoor and Adventure
Prioritise a different PE strand for further development each year
Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for PHYSICAL EDUCATION

4. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
In order to achieve the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG our school must:
Provide pupils with twice daily playground breaks
Promote the full range of fundamental movement skills during playground breaks, including running
Organise a non-competitive running initiative for every class that lasts a number of weeks
Promote inclusive physical activity throughout the school day and the school year
Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

5. PARTNERSHIPS
In order to achieve the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG our school must:
Work in partnership with pupils, parents, the local community and national agencies to promote a physically active school culture
Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for PARTNERSHIPS

6. ACTIVE SCHOOL WEEK
In order to achieve the ACTIVE SCHOOL FLAG our school must:
Complete at least one Active School Week (ASW) prior to applying for the ASF and thereafter include one as part of the annual school calendar
Prioritise fun and inclusivity during Active School Week
Involve pupils in the design and organisation of the ASW programme
Satisfy all of the ASF success criteria for ACTIVE SCHOOL WEEK

7. MORE SCHOOLS, MORE ACTIVE, MORE OFTEN
ALL children require 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity EVERY day
80% of Irish primary school children DO NOT reach this target
1 in 4 Irish children are overweight or obese

8. MORE SCHOOLS, MORE ACTIVE, MORE OFTEN
SMALL changes can help a lot more Irish children reach their 60 minutes per day:
SIT
LESS
MOVE MORE

9. ACTIVE CHILDREN Concentrate and Learn Better
Present Fewer Discipline Problems
Achieve Higher Test Results
Enjoy School More

11. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES
SCHOOL CHALLENGES
FOCUS
Increase Physical Activity Decrease Sedentary Behaviour
Schools Need to Focus on the 80% of Young People that are NOT Meeting the 60 Minutes Daily Requirement
ALL Children Need
60 Minutes of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Every Day