Minister McEntee extends best wishes to schools selected for second phase of Physical Activity Pilot Programme, as grants issued
- Published on: 17 October 2025
- Last updated on: 17 October 2025
Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEnteeTD, has extended her best wishes to the schools selected to take part in the second phase of a pilot programme focused on physical activity in teaching and learning.
A total of 41 schools selected to participate in the pilot, including six post-primary and 35 primary schools, have received grant payments in recent days.
The physical activity pilot programme has helped teachers and school leaders embed physical activity into daily teaching practice.. The programme provides an opportunity for all schools to be innovative and creative in integrating physical activity into the teaching and learning of a subject area. This is in addition to the physical activity experienced by learners during designated physical education lessons.
The pilot programme will run over the school year 2025/2026 and a full list of the 41 selected schools is provided below. Some of the selected projects across the country include: St Michael's House Special National School Ballymun, Dublin (Rhythm and Reach: Using Dance to Support Active Learning); Newport Convent Primary School, Tipperary (Empowering Girls Through Movement); and, McEgan College, Cork (Moving Minds: Building Lifelong Physical Literacy Through Expert-Led Learning).
Minister McEntee said:
“This pilot programme recognises the importance of physical activity in teaching and learning, and in health and wellbeing. It acknowledges the vital role of physical activity as a tool for schools to deliver a school culture and environment that supports the wellbeing of the learners.
“I am delighted that 41 schools are taking part in the second phase of this pilot programme and look forward to hearing about the positive impacts of the projects as they are implemented this year. The broad interest shown by the number of applications for the pilot programme underlines the importance of integrating physical activity into all aspects of school life. I want to thank every school who applied for their interest in this phase of the pilot programme.”
Minister Moynihan stated:
“By bringing movement and creativity into lessons, we are not only supporting academic success but also nurturing confidence, focus and joy in learning.”
Notes to editor
Criteria used for evaluation of applications:
- How the project will support the school in integrating physical activity in teaching and learning in the chosen curricular or cross-curricular area (20 marks)
- The benefits the school hopes to gain from participation in the Pilot Programme and how senior leaders in the school will support the project (10 marks)
- How the teachers and school leaders will ensure that learners will play a central role in developing and implementing the project (10 marks)
- The extent to which the project will sustain a long term cultural change in physical activity in teaching and learning in the school (10 marks)
All applications received were read and assessed against the stated criteria as set out above.