Supporting movement skills to improve health and education in the population

Six to 17% of children have a hidden physical disability (movement skill deficit) that impedes their progress in school (e.g., resulting in handwriting problems). The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Movement skill deficits decrease educational attainment and increase the risk of poor physical and mental health. We have developed free assessment and treatment tools that allow these conditions to be effectively tackled in schools, reducing the burden to the NHS, but schools need to be empowered to use them.