Introduction

Research from Sport England’s Active Lives survey in 2020-21 showed that physical literacy is vitally important to children and young people’s physical activity levels. Furthermore, in 2022, the UK Government stated that physical literacy will be a key principle underpinning any new national sport plan and is a key focus for physical education.

Yet research showed that the term ‘physical literacy’ will, and can, mean different things to different people and organisations.

This project aimed to develop a Physical Literacy Consensus Statement for England to hopefully catalyse efforts to adopt, support and promote physical literacy in practice.

The consensus statement aimed to provide a shared understanding of physical literacy, including a definition and explanation of what physical literacy is, why it is important, and how physical literacy can be supported.

The aim of the project was to establish a shared understanding of physical literacy that works across people and organisations. The consensus statement was intended for sector professionals and practitioners, and wider system stakeholders who work in policy, research and practice.

We therefore aimed to develop a consensus statement that could be understood by the average person – whether it be a non-specialist teacher, coach, community worker, healthcare professional or policymaker. The consensus statement was also designed to be applicable across sport, health, education, and community sectors, ‘uniting’ perspectives on physical literacy.

While the foundations for physical literacy are set in childhood, physical literacy is relevant across the lifecourse. Therefore, the consensus statement was developed to encompass all ages.

Find out more about the Physical Literacy Consensus Statement for England project by exploring the tabs on this microsite.