KPA Supportive School Environment

Key Priority Area

Supportive School Environment

Creating supportive physical, social and policy environments makes it easier for students to be active before, during and after school.

A Supportive School Environment can increase participation, strengthen wellbeing and build lasting connections with sport, recreation and community opportunities using the spaces, relationships and structures your school already has.

Where does a Supportive School Environment fit in?

A Supportive School Environment underpins all areas of the Active Schools Framework by creating the inclusive spaces, policies, partnerships and school culture that make movement easier and more accessible, including adaptable facilities, outdoor learning areas, accessible equipment, secure bike and scooter storage, community access to facilities and strong connections with local clubs and providers.

Getting started

Planning

Taking action

Monitoring

Sustaining

Why this matters

A supportive school environment helps make physical activity an easy and enjoyable part of every school day. Inclusive spaces, supportive policies and strong community partnerships encourage more students to be active, connected and engaged.

Research shows that well-designed school environments increase participation, support student wellbeing and foster lifelong healthy habits by creating opportunities for students to move, play and connect throughout the day.

Top 3 actions to get started

1.

Audit spaces, facilities and policies that support physical activity.

2.

Activate existing spaces for play, learning and recreation.

3.

Build partnerships to expand active opportunities at school and beyond.

Making it inclusive

Create school spaces, systems and routines that make physical activity accessible, welcoming and safe for every student. 

This might include: 

  • designing spaces for different abilities, interests and sensory needs   
  • providing accessible equipment, pathways, signage and activity zones   
  • offering active, social and quieter participation options   
  • using student voice to identify barriers within the school environment   
  • embedding inclusion and reasonable adjustments into planning, policies and supervision

Sustainable practice

Develop a school environment that supports physical activity now and into the future. 

This might include: 

  • improving and repurposing existing spaces before building new ones 
  • incorporating shade, greenery and climate-responsive design 
  • selecting durable, accessible and low-maintenance equipment 
  • reducing waste through reuse, repair and shared resources 
  • involving students and the community in caring for active spaces 

See it in practice

Real stories from Victorian Schools

Primary School

Ardeer South Primary School

Learn how strategic upgrades to school facilities, including a walking track, have created a supportive school environment where students can thrive, connect and grow.

Secondary School

Wangaratta High School

See how senior prefects used student voice to shape meaningful funding decisions, build trust and responsibility, and strengthen relationships between students and staff.

Specialist School

Furlong Park for Deaf Children

See how Education Support staff lead a 30-minute movement program each morning, helping students feel energised, focused and ready to learn.

Resources organised by need

Find the right tools and support to help you create a supportive school environment.

Get students moving

Featured resources:

Take learning outdoors

Featured resources:

Plan active learning

Featured resources:

Connect learning to STEM

Featured resources:

Build staff capacity

Featured resources:

Choose your next step

Find the right tools and support to help you create more active classrooms

Audit your current practice

Plan your next step

Explore quick win ideas

Find a partner or program

Measure and track progress

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The Active Schools Toolkit has been developed for the Victorian Department of Education by Active Education Australia.