Girls Active Launches across Habs Trust South schools
On Thursday 26 March, Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South marked the launch of the Youth Sport Trust (YST) Girls Active programme across our schools. The event took place at Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, who joined us as a partner in the programme, reflecting a shared commitment to championing girls’ participation in sport.
The launch brought together around 90 pupils from our Trust schools, 20 pupils from Alleyn’s School, alongside staff and representatives from the YST, providing an inspiring day of workshops, discussions, and practical activities designed to empower girls to influence, lead, and inspire their peers.
A central aim of the Girls Active programme is to give girls a voice in shaping the sporting opportunities available to them.
Girls Active Launch 26 March 2026
“We know there is a gender gap in participation and enjoyment of PE, sport and physical activity. Our most recent Girls Active survey found girls are nearly four times (3.8) more likely than boys to not like taking part in PE and over three times (3.4 times) more likely than boys to not feel confident when taking part in physical activity.
The Youth Sport Trust’s Girls Active programme aims to tackle the barriers girls experience and through cultivating a movement of girls and young women, empower them to take positive action through influencing, leading and inspiring their peers. When we place girls’ voices and needs at the heart of provision we create spaces where girls truly feel they belong and can experience not only the physical but the wider associated benefits including improved social connection, enhanced health and wellbeing and development of wider life skills.
With over one thousand schools engaged in the Girls Active programme, we’re delighted that The Haberdashers Academies Trust South schools are committed to driving change for girls in their communities and joining the wider Girls Active movement.”
- Wendy Taylor, National Manager – Women & Girls, Youth Sports Trust
Pupils participated in workshops led by professional athlete mentors, including:
- Hannah Beharry – Former British and European Champion boxer
- Noorin Gulam – Record-holding GB/England Weightlifter
- Amelia Coltman – GB Skeleton Olympian
Workshops also explored themes such as advocacy, consultation, promoting initiatives, and leading activities, helping pupils develop leadership skills that they can take back into their own schools.
“Girls Active is about giving girls the confidence, skills and voice to lead in sport. When young women are empowered to shape the opportunities available to them, they not only grow in confidence and resilience - developing a life-long love of sport and movement - but also inspire others to get involved and make sport inclusive for everyone,”
- Barny Day, Director of Sport, Physical Activity and Wellbeing.
Supporting Staff to Lead Change
Ahead of the launch, we hosted a training session for PE staff from across all the participating schools. This session equipped staff with strategies to increase girls’ participation, create inclusive approaches in lessons, and support pupils to take leadership roles in sport.
“Sport has the power to bring people together, and this programme is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when schools collaborate. By sharing expertise, facilities and opportunities, we can offer pupils a richer and more inspiring experience. They will not only develop their skills and confidence, but also build friendships, broaden their perspectives and discover what they are truly capable of.”
- Ryan Shedwick, Director of Sports, Alleyn’s
Celebrating Participation Across the Trust
Sport is a central part of life at Haberdashers’ Academies Trust with girls' participation in extracurricular sport increasing by over 30% since 2023. Today, we have protected girls-only clubs, girls representing their schools in an increasing range of sports, including Rugby and Flag American Football, as well as female-only spaces for active play at break and lunch. Last academic year saw 250 more girls representing their schools in team and individual sports. This means that over 50% of our girls are now physically active through extracurricular sporting clubs or fixtures, reflecting our commitment to provide opportunities for all pupils.
The launch day encouraged collaboration across schools, building friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging, while inspiring pupils to become advocates for sport in their own communities.
The event concluded with pupils developing action plans to take their ideas back to school, ensuring the impact of the day continues beyond the launch.
Through initiatives such as Girls Active, Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South is committed to nurturing a generation of young women who lead, influence, and drive change in sport. By giving girls the tools, confidence, and opportunities to take the lead, the programme aims to create lasting engagement in physical activity and inspire a culture of leadership and inclusion across our schools.
