'Girls shouldn't be forced to chose between comfort and taking part in sport'
As the long, hot summer has seemingly come to an end and children make their way back to school, it is hard not to think about the environment in which they will get to be active or not when they reach the school gates.
Barriers continue to prevent too many girls from enjoying the physical, social and mental benefits of being active. Those barriers are often complex; however, sometimes changing lives begins with something as straightforward as changing what children wear to school.
I am continually inspired by the passion and commitment of those working to create a fairer sporting landscape for women and girls.
Recent research from the Women in Sport Fit to Learn, Free to Play research has highlighted the profound impact of a simple, cost-free policy: allowing pupils to wear their PE kit throughout the school day on PE days. Across 12 schools, the findings were striking. Six in ten girls reported that the policy helped them be more active during the school day, while nearly two-thirds said it made participation in PE easier when they were on their period. Around seven in ten pupils and PE teachers wanted the policy to continue. Teachers also benefited, with many reporting significant time savings that could be redirected into teaching and learning.
For anyone who has listened to girls speak openly about their experiences of sport and physical activity, these findings will come as no surprise. We know adolescence can be a challenging period. Concerns about body image, confidence, menstruation and peer judgement all contribute to declining participation. Research consistently shows that girls are far more likely than boys to disengage from sport during their teenage years. When schools require pupils to change clothes during the day, often in communal changing environments, an additional and entirely avoidable hurdle can be created.
The Fit to Learn, Free to Play pilot demonstrates that removing this barrier delivers real benefits. Thirty per cent of girls reported feeling less stressed and anxious. As stated above, nearly 60% said the policy created more opportunities to be active throughout the day and 45% felt it encouraged them to be more active on their journeys to and from school. These are not marginal gains. They represent meaningful improvements in physical activity, wellbeing and confidence at a time when many girls are at risk of becoming less active.
Importantly, this is not solely a girls’ issue. Creating school environments that encourage movement benefits all children. Active lifestyles established in childhood often become lifelong habits. At a time when concerns about sedentary behaviour and obesity continue to grow, every opportunity to promote everyday movement matters. A school uniform policy that supports children to run, jump, play and participate without restriction is not a luxury. It is a practical investment in children’s health and wellbeing.
This is why I am encouraged to see public engagement growing around this issue. At the moment there is a parent-led petition before the Senedd which calls for a review of school uniform guidance to promote active uniforms for all pupils up to the age of 16. The petition highlights concerns that restrictive uniforms can limit participation in informal physical activity and play throughout the school day, while also recognising the particular challenges faced by teenage girls. It argues that comfortable, practical clothing can help create a school environment where movement is normal, accessible and encouraged.
The debate about uniforms may seem minor when compared with larger questions about facilities, investment and equality in sport. Yet meaningful change is often achieved through a series of practical improvements rather than a single transformative intervention. What makes the findings from the Fit to Learn, Free to Play project so compelling is that the solution is simple, affordable and immediately achievable. Schools do not need major capital investment. Families do not face additional costs. The evidence suggests that a relatively small policy adjustment can make a measurable difference to girls’ lives.
As advocates for women and girls in sport, we should welcome initiatives that are grounded in evidence and focused on removing barriers. We often talk about inspiring girls to be active, but inspiration alone is not enough. We must also create environments in which participation feels comfortable, accessible and enjoyable, which is one of our strategic priorities. Every girl deserves to feel that sport and physical activity are for her, whether she dreams of elite competition or simply wants the confidence to join in at school.
That is why I am asking our supporters to take action. If you are a parent, speak with your child’s school about how uniform policies affect participation in physical activity. If you work in education, consider whether current arrangements create unnecessary barriers. If you are involved in sport, youth work or public policy, champion evidence-based approaches that support girls’ engagement and wellbeing. And if you live in Wales, please consider supporting the petition calling for a review of school uniform guidance and the introduction of more active uniform policies.
Together, we can help ensure that girls are not forced to choose between comfort and participation, confidence and activity, or learning and movement. The message from the evidence is clear: when girls are free to move, they are better able to learn, play and thrive. Let us seize this opportunity to turn research into action and create school environments where every child is truly fit to learn and free to play.