Consultancy
Dr Natalie Weir, Inspector Play Consultancy
Founded by researcher Dr Natalie Weir, Inspector Play helps others in their mission to reduce childhood inactivity. Natalie supports organisations and educators with research and insight projects, conference keynotes and workshops, policy development, and building knowledge and confidence, particularly in early childhood.
Whatever your physical activity, physical literacy or play challenge, together we can bridge the gap between ‘what we know’ and ‘what we do’.
Early years and school settings are incredibly busy places with relentless curriculum and staffing pressures. However, we need to ask ourselves:
‘Are we doing enough to ensure young children are getting enough positive physical activity and movement experiences?’
Why movement matters
Movement supports every part of a child’s development
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Move
- Builds healthy bones, muscles, heart and lungs
- Helps maintain a healthy body weight
- Improves fundamental movement skills
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Think
- Better concentration and memory
- Improves attention and on-task learning
- Problem-solving and persistence in tasks
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Feel
- Enhances mood and self-esteem
- Builds social skills and relationships
- Contributes to overall health and wellbeing
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Connect
- Improves sharing and listening skills
- Promotes collaboration and teamwork
- Builds resilience and patience
How Natalie can help
Services
Are you an organisation or educator who wants to put movement and physical development at the heart of children’s learning and wellbeing? Natalie would love to hear from you.
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Consultancy and research
Scoping and delivering research and insight projects and evaluations.
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Staff training and CPD
Training that builds educators’ knowledge and confidence, such as Embedding Physical Literacy.
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Keynotes and workshops
Energetic keynotes and workshops for conferences, networks and events.
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Policy and strategy
Helping organisations put movement and physical development at the heart of children’s learning and wellbeing.
Support around PDAT
Help to turn your results into action
Already using the Physical Development Audit Tool (PDAT) across several settings, or planning to? Natalie can add expert support alongside the tool.
- Expert review of your PDAT results A human review of your results, to help you decide where to focus.
- Organisation insight sessions Making sense of the findings across all your settings.
- Targeted CPD Training based on the development priorities your audit identifies.
- Implementation workshops Support for you and your colleagues to move from audit to action.
Dr Natalie Weir
Founder, Inspector Play
- PhD in early childhood physical activity and physical literacy
- University of Derby Game Changer Awards 2026: Global Impact Idea winner
- Inaugural Derby Impact Awards 2025: Social Entrepreneur of the Year finalist
About Natalie
With nearly 20 years’ experience in community sport development, programme and product development, senior leadership, and research and insight, Natalie passionately believes in the power of play, physical activity and PE to improve lives.
Natalie studied for her PhD at the University of Derby. Alongside her consultancy, she co-developed PDAT and the Building Blocks for an Active Start framework with Helen Battelley MA.
What people say
“Her relatable, evidence-informed approach is both engaging and inspiring, making complex ideas accessible and meaningful.”
Mo JafarSenior Lecturer in Sport, PE and Development, University of East London “Natalie has brought knowledge, insights, evidence and amazing design skills. Proactive, engaged and a really lovely person to work with.”
Beckie LangCEO, HENRY
Writing and research
Articles
Let’s talk about your project
Whether it’s research, training, a keynote or support with PDAT, get in touch and Natalie will get back to you.