I came across this via Runners World and thought it was a joke at first but apparently it is true. New guidance to teachers advises using physical activity such as running as a punishment, if you disagree with this then the petition for the department for education to remove this guidance is here:
change.org/en-GB/petitions/...
Thanks for reading and happy running (not sad miserable punishing running). 
Yes, I heard about that on the radio a week or so back. It's bonkers. We need to be coming up with innovative ways to encourage our young people (particularly girls) to exercise, not putting out a subliminal message that physical activity is unpleasant. Using physical activity as a form of punishment will turn yet more kids against exercise which will be bad for them physically and mentally. Thanks for sharing this.
Signed. Like you I struggled to believe it at first.
I've signed too. Had a PE teacher who had same view & that's why I hated exercise for years!
Ridiculous - I've signed.
I'm now in my sixties and started Couch to 5k over a year ago - run three times a week now and walk everywhere. I absolutely hated running at school as it was a punishment!
Signed. Than you for bringing this to our attention.
Heck, there should be a petition on the picking up litter as punishment too. Why would anyone think that activities we want sensible, civic-minded, healthy adults to take part in should be assigned as punishments?
All part of the Back to the 50s project I fear.
My sons are not at all sporty and I was concerned about them attending a 'sports college' (hangover from the previous political fad) but it has worked really well as their PE lessons have been just that physical education rather than all conventional 'sports' and they have both enjoyed measuring their fitness through running.
I'm glad to read of your sons' positive experience Googleme. Our son is also not sporty but enjoys his PE at the Sports College he attends, the teachers are enthusiastic and unlike in my day join in the lessons themselves, I'm sure their example is why he gives every sport his best shot. I do hope the progress which has been made will not be lost be such stupid clumsy directives as this one.
Physical activity as a punishment? Sounds like a great way to encourage kids to move less, eat more. 
Running 'scared'
Was I too fat to run.......Nahh :))
W8R1 done. I love celebrating survival!
13 Weeks, a lot of huffing & puffing and some swearing 🤬 
Oh crumbs have I been cheating with logging distance wrong? 🤔
