Obstacle Explorers invites primary and secondary schools to be part of a national movement redefining school sport. As one of the first 500 Founding Schools, you’ll give pupils the chance to try an exciting new activity that blends physical challenge, creativity, teamwork and leadership.
Designed to engage every child – regardless of confidence or ability – Obstacle Explorers gives pupils permission to play, explore and overcome obstacles together, both in and beyond the curriculum.
How it Works
Obstacle Explorers is simple to introduce and flexible to deliver.
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Access the resources - Schools receive a free digital set of Obstacle Explorers activity cards packed with creative challenges and ideas. The first 500 schools will also receive a hard-copy resource suite containing the activity cards and a poster.
Download example resource -
Try it out - Bring Obstacle Explorers to life in PE lessons, outdoor adventurous activities, enrichment sessions or after-school clubs.
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Share your story - Tell us how your pupils have used Obstacle Explorers. Selected schools will be featured nationally and may be invited to experience a full-scale obstacle rig during the academic year.
Obstacle Explorers can be delivered in structured lessons, pupil-led sessions or informal play-based contexts.
Impact and Benefits
The pilot of Obstacle Explorers was delivered across five primary schools in England and Wales, exploring how it could be embedded in a range of school settings.
What pupils said:
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93% rated Obstacle Explorers as good or very good
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75% reported improvements in resilience, confidence, motivation, teamwork and enjoyment of physical activity
Pupils highlighted the fun, variety, creativity and teamwork as the most valuable aspects:
“It doesn’t feel like a lesson; we’re given freedom to be creative and explore – no boredom.”
“It’s fun, and makes me feel free, happy and included.”
What teachers said:
Teachers reported clear benefits across the pilot schools:
Engagement
Even typically disengaged pupils were active and motivated
Teamwork and social skills
Pupils supported and encouraged one another
Resilience and confidence
Pupils were more willing to try, fail and try again
Ways to Access
Schools can get involved through the Founding Schools offer:
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Free digital Obstacle Explorers Activity Cards
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Hard-copy resources for the first 500 schools
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Recognition as a Founding Obstacle Explorers School, including a digital badge
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Opportunity to experience a full obstacle rig at the National School Games Finals 2026*
*Selection based on engagement with the programme. Limited places available.
Why it Matters
Children today face declining physical activity levels and fewer opportunities for free, outdoor play.
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Only 47.8% of young people meet the Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity guidelines
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Time spent playing outdoors has declined by 50% in a generation
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Children’s independent roaming distance has fallen from six miles to just 300 yards over four generations
Obstacle Explorers responds by reintroducing challenge, creativity and shared play – helping children build physical fitness, confidence and a positive relationship with movement and the outdoors.
Obstacle racing is also an emerging global discipline. From LA 2028, a head-to-head obstacle race will feature in the Olympic Modern Pentathlon, inspired by popular formats such as Ninja Warrior. Designed to be fast, exciting and accessible, it represents a new era of sport that resonates with young people.
Developed by Pentathlon GB, British Obstacle Sports and the Youth Sport Trust, Obstacle Explorers brings this exciting new discipline into schools – translating Olympic-inspired challenge into inclusive, playful activities that every child can enjoy.
Get in touch
Ready to bring Obstacle Explorers to your school? Contact Caroline McCallum, Project Officer - Inclusion.
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