Resources for schools
This page contains all the information you need on how to get your school involved in Beat the Street.
What is Beat the Street?
Beat the Street is a free, fun walking and cycling game which gets staff, pupils and their families out and about in their local area, having fun and keeping healthy. Over 5000 schools have taken part in Beat the Street over the last 10 years.
Players earn points by hovering contactless cards on sensors located in the playing area over the course of 6 weeks.
Compete against other schools to be in with a chance to win prizes. The game has leaderboards for both total and average points, so whether you are a small or large school, everyone is in with a chance to win!
Why take part in Beat the Street?
Beat the Street is an evidence based intervention designed to get children and communities moving by helping people to make small changes, such as walking or cycling to school every day. So far 1.9 million people have taken part in games across the UK and beyond.
Evidence shows that the programme really helps adults and children become more active.
Participation in Beat the Street can also:
- Provide evidence on wellbeing which can be used in OFSTED inspections
- Act alongside, or as a support to: Active travel/Daily Mile/Daily Boost programmes
- Help the school and its pupils achieve the Department of Health’s target of 60 minutes per day for young people
- Reduce traffic and air pollution around the school
- Help engage the wider school community
How to take part in Beat the Street
- Your school will be contacted by a member of the Beat the Street team inviting you to take part in the game. If you haven't received this a week before the game, email schools@beatthestreet.me and we will send you the letter. You will be offered an interactive assembly delivered by our local Engagement Coordinator, either virtually or in person.
- Your school will be provided with all the materials you need to take part approximately 1 week before game start. See the checklist below detailing what your school will receive. Ensure that each pupil has a family pack and map before the game starts so they can start earning points from day one. It may also help to send out some information to your parents/carers reminding them that the game is about to start and to make sure they are registering their cards online.
- Players can complete an health survey online after they've registered and they'll earn 100 points. It's worth encouraging staff, pupils and families at the school to complete this. There is an additional opportunity to complete another survey at the end of the game and earn more points.
See the video below for details on signing up, which you can send out to parents/carers and also share on your social media channels.
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Every week during the game, there is a different theme. Look out for opportunities to earn double points at school drop off and pick up times, or earn more points for visiting parks during Go Wild. There are also random spot prizes given out to individuals throughout the 6 weeks.
Keep track of how your school is doing by checking out the leaderboards.
Checklist of what schools receive
- Family pack containing 2 cards (one for the pupil and one for a parent/carer) and information on how to register. Families can pick up spare cards from Distribution Points if they would like more. The list of Distribution Points can be found in the FAQ's section or on the map.
- A map of Beat Box locations
- Spare cards for staff and children who have lost cards
- A teacher letter explaining what the game is
- A banner to put outside your school
- A poster for your reception or communal area
Awards
Did you know that players can earn individual achievements for earning a certain amount of points. From Explorer to Globe Trotter, to Planet Hero, can you collect them all?
Testimonials from schools
"This has been such a positive initiative for our school. They have really engaged with the programme and sustained this throughout the length of the programme. It makes me smile to see their faces every time they hear the points!"
Head teacher, Rotherham
"Beat the Street has been a brilliant, engaging competition that many of our children and families have loved taking part in. Following the scoreboards has given our school community great motivation to get out and about.
Our Year 6s in particular have used the competition as an opportunity to explore the local area and learn about the importance of road safety. Their daily walks about the neighbourhood have become a really enjoyable part of our school day. Even on school trips, the children have enjoyed planning our routes to include extra Beat Boxes.
It has certainly increased activity levels for the children and their families. The children have reported a great sense of well being."
Teacher, Leicester
FAQs
Next steps
If you have already received your materials, please make sure you hand them out to your staff and pupils before the game starts.
If you haven't received your materials yet, they will be with you a week before your game starts. Get in touch with us if you would like a school assembly or just want to speak to someone to find out more.
Contact
Email schools@beatthestreet.me