SECONDARY NEWS
Secondary school students inspire Parliament by sharing their view of poverty
The report focuses on three areas: life at school, life at home, and life in their community. The young people’s views and ideas focused on the importance of inclusive, wraparound support, ensuring they feel safe, happy and able to flourish in life.
Key reflections from the report include how experiences of poverty impact a young person in many different ways, including: • Material barriers and access to resources • A negative impact on concentration in school and homework • Unequal access to opportunities • Struggles with mental health and wellbeing • Emotional neglect and increased tensions at home • Additional pressures and responsibilities • Lack of safety in areas with higher crime rates
A group of secondary school students took to Parliament to present their views on how poverty connects to different parts of their childhoods and futures.
The event, hosted by The Children’s Society and Oasis UK, launched a new report: A Chance of Childhood, which calls on the Government to listen to the experiences of young people as they continue to shape their child poverty strategy.
Included within the paper, Year 11 students from Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill in Southampton shared how poverty impacts their community and many others across the country.
During the event, an Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill student said: “We stand before you today not just as students, but as witnesses to the silent struggles of young people in our community trapped in poverty. Poverty is an economic issue; it is a cycle that suffocates ambition, crushes potential; and makes even the simplest impacts of home life unbearable.” A forum for young people to influence decision-makers ahead of the planned Child Poverty Strategy, the event attracted over 70 MPs returning to Westminster from Easter recess.
Mark Russell, Chief Executive from The Children’s Society said: “We are so grateful to the young people who have helped give their important insights to inform our report as well as speak to MPs and peers in Parliament. We want the government to listen and really hear what these young people are telling us. We all need to commit ourselves to fight for the change we need, so that every child has a good childhood, free from poverty, and where they’re able to thrive, not just survive.”
John Parker, Director of Excellence at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill in Southampton: “Everyone at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill is so proud of our fantastic students for openly sharing their experiences and growing concerns as part of The Children’s Society’s report.
“Serving a brilliantly diverse and resilient community in Southampton, we know all too well of the growing challenges our young people face, particularly linking to poverty and the cost-of-living. While we continue to ensure all our students have everything they need to remain proud, kind and determined to thrive in and out of school, we welcome the government to keep listening to young people as they frame their policies as part of the Child Poverty Strategy.”
Studio You and Nike join forces to tackle gender activity gap in schools
Studio You, a digital exercise platform for teenage girls across England, is teaming up with Nike to launch a series of new video content, teaching a variety of exercise and activity disciplines to ensure no girl is left behind in PE.
Powered by the This Girl Can campaign and funded by The National Lottery, Studio You is a first-of-its-kind digital platform. It’s packed with over 100 video lessons, plus tips and guidance to inject fun into PE across a range of activities such as dance, yoga and fitness. Through the new Studio You x Nike hub, the partnership aims to reframe negative narratives and experiences surrounding PE for pre-teen and teen girls, and inspire more girls aged 11-16 to feel confident and engaged when it comes to being physically active. As research from the Youth Sport Trust shows girls’ enjoyment of physical education (PE) drops by 30% between ages 8 and 15, Studio You x Nike hub has been designed to feature fresh, modern content and resources informed by what girls today say they want for their “dream PE experience.”
New Studio You x Nike research findings reveal:
• 87% of girls who had a negative experience in PE, disliked their typical PE options – girls surveyed ranked dance (39%) and fitness/workouts (29%) as their top preferences
• 87% of girls who had a negative PE experience wished they had more say in the activities
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• 81% of girls with negative PE experiences lack confidence in participating, while half of all girls surveyed (50%) feel most excited and energized when having fun
• 68% of girls who disliked PE found lessons difficult, while 34% of all girls surveyed preferred learning new activities gradually
• 79% of girls value fun in PE, while inclusion (59%) and an engaging teacher (53%) are also important for their enjoyment
The new programme of sessions has been designed by girls, for girls. Engagement with girls included a national survey, smaller focus groups to explore specific challenges, and a core group of girls co-designing content. Selected after consultation with girls themselves, a diverse team of inspiring Nike trainers were also recruited to lead engaging and accessible lessons.
Studio You and Nike also enlisted the support of Nike partner, Disability Sports Coach, to include disabled trainers. Trainers featured in the content demonstrate adaptive movements for relevant disciplines, ensuring inclusion for all girls.
Content emphasises non-competitive activities such as dance and fitness - the top two activities that girls said they’d like to practise in PE - showing girls that physical activity can be about self-expression, confidence, and fun, not just winning. Disciplines such as mental fitness, meditation, and breathwork have also been introduced to help teachers explore ways to improve mindset, focus and confidence in students, especially during critical times such as exam periods.
May 2025
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