Despite a more positive year with regards to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been decided that a virtual school games event would be the safest and most inclusive option for schools across the county this summer.

The Virtual School Games Festival is scheduled to coincide with The Youth Sports Trust's, National School Sports Week from 19th – 25th June 2021, which invites schools from across Suffolk to participate in Activity Bingo, whilst also offering the opportunity for them to celebrate being Together Again to be active.

Last summer, Active Suffolk led the first Virtual School Games event, inviting young people across the county to take part in 8 competitions, helping their school to climb the leader board. The innovative online event saw over 40 local primary and secondary schools sign up to the games where over 1,700 individual entries were submitted, so to already have 5,500 pupils involved in this year's virtual activity is very encouraging.

Tony Bush, Interim Director at Active Suffolk says:

"Our vision at Active Suffolk is to Improve health and wellbeing across Suffolk by inspiring everyone to be more active, which includes children and young people.

Following the results of the latest Active Lives survey conducted by Sport England which identified a decline in activity levels amongst children in Suffolk, we are committed to playing a significant part, alongside our partners to improve physical activity uptake amongst young people in Suffolk.

We are all about helping to get school children moving at every opportunity, so they are happier, healthier and great learners too. We hope collaboration with local schools and events like the virtual school games will inspire more local children and families to be more active, in and outside of school."

Schools across the county are being invited to get involved in the Virtual School Games Festival where children would be encouraged to participate in activity before, during or after school.

James Payne, Senior Development Officer for Children and Young People at Active Suffolk says:

"Our School Games Activity Bingo challenge is a simple, positive, and enjoyable way to encourage children to be physically active through participating in different activities. It has been created to be easy to implement in schools and to creative positive experiences of being active for anyone taking part."

To get involved, teachers from schools across Suffolk are invited to sign up and follow the steps below before Thursday 17^th June to participate:

1. Order your FREE Physical Activity Bingo cards online at www.activitybingo.cresign.co.uk
2. Receive a Teacher Resource Pack via email which includes resources to facilitate activities and a certificate template
3. Your bingo cards will arrive at school in the post
4. Hand out your bingo cards to pupils at the start of National School Sports Week (19th – 25th June 2021)
5. Throughout the week, encourage and facilitate the physical activity challenges throughout the school day and at home
6. Share your photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #NSSW2021 and tagging @ActiveSuffolk on Facebook, Instagram and @Active_Suffolk on Twitter.
7. At the end of the week, celebrate everyone's participation by presenting certificates using the template provided.