About the Active School Flag
The Active School Flag (ASF) initiative is a Department of Education and Skills initiative (DES) supported by Healthy
Ireland (HI) which aims to get more schools, more active,more often. It is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a
physically educated and physical active school community. ASF forms part of the National Physical Activity Plan
and the Healthy Ireland vision where everyone can enjoy physical and mental and well-being to their full potential,
and where well-being is valued and supported at every level of society and is everyone’s responsibility.
80% of Irish children, currently, are not active enough (Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study,
2010). They are present in every classroom in the country. ASF provides schools with a template to get their whole
school more active, within the confines of the school day, with an emphasis on FUN and INCLUSION.
Educational Benefits
International research proves that active children:
• Focus and learn better
• Present fewer discipline problems
• Achieve higher test results
• Enjoy school more
Teachers in ASF schools perceive positive benefits for teaching and learning as a result of more physically active
school days.
Daily Physical Activity Requirements
ALL children require 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity every day.
World Health Organisation, Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for
Health (5-17 years old), 2011
ASF schools find ways to ENERGISE the school day so that more children can achieve more active minutes every day.
Fundamental Movement Skills
Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are the basic building blocks of movement and are an essential part of everyday
life and recreational activity. ASF schools, through their provision of a broad and balanced PE curriculum and stimulating playground environments, provide children with daily opportunities to practise and learn the full range of skills.
Physical Education
Physical Activity
Partnerships
Active School Week
