TY - JOUR
T1 - Flying the 'Active School Flag'
T2 - Physical activity promotion through self-evaluation in primary schools in Ireland
AU - Chróinín, Déirdre Ní
AU - Murtagh, Elaine
AU - Bowles, Richard
PY - 2012/9
Y1 - 2012/9
N2 - Primary schools are key sites where children can be active, advance their knowledge and understanding of how to participate in physical activity (PA) and develop an appreciation of its importance in their lives. This study explored the role of schools in promoting PA asking: how do primary schools approach the promotion of whole-school PA? Data submitted by 21 schools as part of a self-evaluation PA initiative were included in a secondary analysis using an inductive thematic approach. Schools' approaches to PA promotion were more structured and inclusive, illustrating what schools valued and what they viewed as feasible within their contexts and resources. Self-evaluation and self-improvement processes can contribute to the promotion of whole-school PA in primary schools. While changes to school practices that better reflect educational policy on PA promotion are encouraging, the long-term impact of the self-evaluation process merits further investigation.
AB - Primary schools are key sites where children can be active, advance their knowledge and understanding of how to participate in physical activity (PA) and develop an appreciation of its importance in their lives. This study explored the role of schools in promoting PA asking: how do primary schools approach the promotion of whole-school PA? Data submitted by 21 schools as part of a self-evaluation PA initiative were included in a secondary analysis using an inductive thematic approach. Schools' approaches to PA promotion were more structured and inclusive, illustrating what schools valued and what they viewed as feasible within their contexts and resources. Self-evaluation and self-improvement processes can contribute to the promotion of whole-school PA in primary schools. While changes to school practices that better reflect educational policy on PA promotion are encouraging, the long-term impact of the self-evaluation process merits further investigation.
KW - co-curricular
KW - physical activity
KW - physical education
KW - primary
KW - sport
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84866324566&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/03323315.2012.710066
DO - 10.1080/03323315.2012.710066
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84866324566
SN - 0332-3315
VL - 31
SP - 281
EP - 296
JO - Irish Educational Studies
JF - Irish Educational Studies
IS - 3
ER -