Peacehaven Heights Academy wins Active School of the Year

Peacehaven Heights Academy (PHA) has been named Active School of the Year at the Sussex Sport and Physical Activity Awards 2025.

The win follows the school’s remarkable transformation of its physical education programme, demonstrating how listening to students and prioritising their wellbeing can drive meaningful school improvement.

Following a Pupil Voice survey in which children expressed a desire for more PE, the school has offered 12 different sporting activities and 30 clubs over the last year.

This includes a Boxercise club run by the Headteacher, David Dowling, which was targeted at less active and disadvantaged children. 

PE lead Jason reflected on the transformation: “We started off three or four years ago, interest in the school was very low. David’s taken over, and it made my life as a PE lead quite easy.

“The children wanted more PE, and we gave it to them. That was due to him giving me the opportunity to do that and expand our curriculum, and giving our children as many opportunities as possible.”

The school’s new curriculum follows the holistic ‘hand, head and heart’ approach to develop physical fitness, awareness and literacy.

And it is not just children’s physical activity levels that have increased. The school has said that by increasing PE and extracurricular activities, it has increased attendance among some persistent absentees. 

Staff have been upskilled through termly CPD, and staff are now seeking training independently to further develop their skills.

The school has also developed strong links with The Joff Youth Club, Peacehaven Football Club and Sussex Cricket Club to offer enrichment activities and days. 

There is also a commitment to the Government recommendation of ‘60 active minutes’ a day for young people, which is met through the Walk to School campaign, afternoon movement breaks, the introduction of sports leaders and active wraparound care.

Headteacher David Dowling added: “We have created a culture where PE is very important, as important as English and Maths.

“I always bang on about the importance of sport and being physically active, especially through current research around mental health and wellbeing.

“We have children now as young as four or five who spend a third of their waking day on screens, so in our care and in our education, we make sure they’re physically active for as long as possible.”