Active Learning in Primary Schools: Unlocking Engagement and Enrichment Through Movement
In today’s classrooms, active learning has become more than just a buzzword — it’s an essential approach to improving engagement, retention, and overall wellbeing. For primary schools, embracing learning through movement can be a game-changer, helping children make meaningful connections between what they learn and how they learn it.
What is Active Learning?
Active learning is an approach where pupils participate directly in the learning process through movement, discussion, and reflection rather than passively receiving information.
At PE Pro, we believe that children learn best when they are active, engaged, and curious. Our cross-curricular workshops combine core and non-core subjects with physical education, allowing pupils to explore academic topics through fun, physically engaging activities that link directly to their curriculum themes.
The Research Behind Active Learning
Educational research consistently supports the impact of active learning on pupil outcomes.
A meta-analysis by Freeman et al. (2014) found that active learning strategies significantly improved student performance and reduced failure rates compared to traditional instruction.
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) highlights metacognition and self-regulation as among the most effective teaching strategies, capable of adding up to seven months of additional progress per year. Active learning encourages these metacognitive skills, as pupils reflect on their own thinking, plan their approach, and evaluate their success.
Research from Jensen (2000) and Ratey (2008) also shows that learning through movement enhances brain function, improves focus, and boosts memory retention — critical components of effective classroom learning.
Engagement and Enrichment Through Movement
When pupils are physically engaged, they’re not just moving, they’re thinking, problem-solving, and collaborating. Active lessons stimulate multiple areas of the brain, promoting deeper understanding and long-term retention of knowledge.
At PE Pro, our workshops are designed to provide enrichment opportunities that go beyond the classroom. By integrating PE with core and non-core subjects, children experience learning in dynamic, relevant contexts that build confidence, resilience, and teamwork.
Cross-Curricular Learning in Action
This type of cross-curricular approach helps children see the links between subjects while reinforcing physical activity as part of everyday learning.
Not only does this improve academic engagement, but it also supports pupils’ physical health, social development, and emotional wellbeing, essential outcomes for the whole child.
Why Active Learning Matters
Incorporating active learning strategies empowers teachers to create classrooms full of curiosity and collaboration. It fosters metacognition, improves engagement, and encourages lifelong learning habits. For headteachers, it supports whole-school priorities such as improving behaviour, wellbeing, and attainment.
At PE Pro, we’re passionate about helping schools make learning active, engaging, and purposeful. Our tailored workshops enable pupils to learn through movement, connect with their curriculum, and experience the joy of discovery, all while supporting teachers with ready-to-deliver, research-informed content.
Interested in bringing active learning to your school?
Explore how PE Pro can help your pupils learn through movement and enrichment by visiting https://www.peproapp.com/welcome-to-pe-pro