When PE Lead Sophie Eccles noticed her pupils tiring quickly during lessons, she knew something had to change. The joy of movement had faded, and Brickhouse Primary School in Sandwell needed a fresh approach to get children active again.

Fast forward six years, and PE at Brickhouse is thriving. With help from Premier Education’s Power Up Physical Literacy Programme, pupils are fitter, more confident, and genuinely excited about physical activity.

The Challenge: Turning Low Fitness Levels into Positive Habits

Brickhouse Primary School is a single-form entry school based in Rowley Regis, Sandwell, an area with some of the highest childhood obesity and deprivation rates in the UK.

The school’s leadership team was increasingly concerned about pupils’ low fitness levels and disengagement from PE, which reflected in their overall well-being. Many children lacked the motivation or confidence to participate fully in lessons, resulting in a lack of interest in sports and physical activity.

“We knew our pupils were capable of so much more,” explains Sophie Eccles. “But we needed something that would build confidence and help us measure real progress.”

The goal was simple: find a long-term solution that encouraged children to be active, improved their physical literacy, and made PE something to look forward to, not avoid.

You can read more about why active lifestyles are vital to children’s development in our blog, Movement & Mood: Why Active Kids Thrive.

The Solution: A Structured, Measurable Approach to PE Improvement

After considering various options, school leaders decided to invest in the Power Up Physical Literacy Programme — a data-led, inclusive framework developed by Premier Education.

Over the academic year, our coaches delivered four fun, engaging physical activity assessments spaced six to eight weeks apart. These helped staff track every child’s physical literacy, fitness, and confidence levels.

The programme gave Brickhouse clear, actionable insights through detailed reports, breaking down results by gender, key stage, SEN, EAL, and Pupil Premium. Teachers could instantly see where support was needed and identify children who were ready for further challenge.

This structured, insight-driven approach mirrors the success seen in our wraparound care and extracurricular clubs, where consistency, familiarity, and fun help every child thrive.

The Results: Measurable Fitness Gains and Renewed Confidence

Brickhouse has now delivered Power Up for six consecutive years, and the difference is clear.

In the first round of assessments, Key Stage 1 pupils performed below the Midlands average. After five years of consistent delivery, that same cohort had not only matched but exceeded regional averages by the end of Key Stage 2.

PE participation is now higher than ever, with improved fitness levels and a genuine enthusiasm for being active.

“The Power Up programme has been an integral part of our PE curriculum for years,” says Sophie. “It provides key data and reports, but it also gives children a chance to thrive and achieve personal bests each time. They walk away proud and determined to improve.”

Between 2017 and 2022, the school’s Power Up results rose by more than 25%, showing a tangible uplift in physical literacy and overall fitness.

You can read how structured, inclusive PE programmes like this inspire engagement in our blog Why PE Is Important for Health and Personal Development.

The data and schools’ results are below:

Power Up Assessment 1 – 12/10/2017

Power Up Assessment 1 – 13/10/2022

Why Power Up Works

The Power Up Physical Literacy Programme was designed in the West Midlands – a region where childhood obesity and inactivity remain critical challenges.

Unlike traditional sports-based PE, Power Up focuses on developing fundamental movement skills such as balance, agility, coordination, and strength. These are the foundations of lifelong fitness.

Every year group takes part in age-appropriate assessments that encourage pupils to compete against themselves, not each other. This personal best model helps every child experience success, even those who might shy away from competitive sport.

Schools running Power Up report higher engagement, improved classroom focus, and more inclusive participation. You can see how this inclusive ethos supports all children in our blog Meeting the Needs of All Children Within Your Wraparound Care.

Tracking Progress and Celebrating Success

Each assessment gives teachers valuable data that turns PE from a one-off session into a measurable journey.

By analysing results across key stages, Brickhouse can:

• Track individual and group progress over time
• Identify target groups for extra support
• Celebrate success through regular “personal best” moments

This focus on measurable growth has changed how both pupils and teachers view PE. It’s now seen as a core part of development, not an optional extra.

About Power Up

The Power Up Physical Literacy Programme helps schools across the UK:

• Improve pupil fitness and physical literacy
• Create inclusive, measurable PE delivery
• Use real data to inform and inspire progress
• Build confident, active learners ready for life

Developed by Premier Education, Power Up is already embedded in hundreds of schools nationwide. It aligns closely with the national curriculum and supports every child to achieve their personal best.

Find out more or watch the programme in action at Power Up – Premier Education.

Ready to Power Up Your School?

For Brickhouse Primary, Power Up wasn’t just a new programme, it was a turning point.

By combining expert coaching, measurable results, and a focus on inclusivity, the school has built a stronger, healthier, and more confident generation of pupils.

If your school is ready to take the next step in improving PE, wellbeing, and pupil engagement, our team can help.

Learn more about Power Up and start your journey today.

Happy Kids. Healthy Futures.