One of my main priorities as a headteacher is ensuring students genuinely enjoy coming to school each day.
When I started at Sidmouth College this academic year, that meant getting to know them, listening to their experiences and understanding where we could make meaningful improvements.
I did this by speaking to around 175 students directly and surveying all 836 students to find out what they believed would make things better.
One message came through loud and clear: they wanted to make more of their break and lunchtimes, with more time, more space and more things to do. I knew this was something we could act on quickly.
More time
Beginning with how we could give them more time, we managed to improve the lunch queue flow.
Redesigning our canteen queuing system has enabled the whole school population to move through the lunch line around 10 minutes faster.
We reorganised the space where students queued, introduced a simple one-way system, and installed queue barriers, with consistent staff on hand to oversee the process so it ran more smoothly. This has given students extra time to eat, relax or take part in activities.
More space
We also opened the school hall during breaks and lunchtimes to give students options in bad weather or if they simply wanted a quieter area in which to read or do extra school work.
This was a new idea for the school, and was easy to implement, as the staff already on lunch duty are able to manage the area.
More options
Meanwhile, to encourage students to do more with their break, we created more structured opportunities for sports.
We expanded inter-house competitions, including football, basketball and badminton, and also left space for more casual play.
Students can choose to join organised games or just enjoy kicking a ball or shooting hoops with friends.
To help with the above, we used money from a school fundraiser to buy a variety of sports gear, such as footballs, basketballs and netballs.
Duty staff now manage this via a simple loan system, handing out equipment in key areas, so students can join in easily without needing to bring their own kit.
Small steps, big difference
Even in the first month, the difference has been striking.
Where only 20 or so students used to take part in break or lunchtime sport, we now see more than 150 joining in each day.
Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. They have enjoyed having more options, more space and more time to be active. Behaviour at break and lunchtime has improved, and the quicker lunch queues have helped the whole day run more smoothly.
Looking ahead
By making breaks active, fun and accessible, we hope to embed positive routines and healthy habits that last well beyond the school day.
Our next focus is building on this momentum to further strengthen our culture of kindness and respect. We will continue listening carefully and creating an environment where students feel valued and supported.
Encouragingly, our latest survey shows an eight per cent rise in the number of students who say they are happy at school. We are now well above the national benchmark, with 88 per cent describing themselves as somewhat to very happy and 55 per cent saying they are quite or very happy, compared with a national figure of 46 per cent.
Giving students more choice, space and equipment has been a simple but powerful way to improve engagement.
Any school looking to boost participation in breaktime activities could start by listening to students, removing barriers and offering flexible, enjoyable ways to move. Early signs suggest that when you do, it really pays off.
Alex Evans is headteacher of Sidmouth College, part of the Ted Wragg Trust
