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GOVERNMENT HAILS “QUIET REVOLUTION” IN SCHOOL SPORT
15 October 2007
New survey shows targets on school sport have been met a year early
Strong investment and an expansion in the number of options open to young people is helping to boost the numbers doing more PE and sport in school, the latest research shows.The 2006/07 School Sport Survey found that 86 per cent of pupils now participate in at least two hours of PE and school sport per week, meaning that the Government has met its target – for 85 per cent to do two hours of PE and school sport per week by 2008 – a year ahead of schedule. Other key findings from the report, based on a survey of more than 21,700 maintained schools, show:• Competitive sport is on the increase – 98 per cent of schools reported that they held at least one sports day during 2006/07, while a further 58 per cent of schools hold other intra-school competitions. Meanwhile, more than a third (35 per cent) of pupils were involved in inter-school competitions last year. Participation rates in inter-school competition vary by age, reaching a peak of 61 per cent among 10 to 11 year olds. All comparable figures show rises in the proportion playing competitive sport.• The variety of sports offered at schools is rising – secondary schools now offer an average of 21.7 different sports, ranging from mountaineering to kabbadi as well as traditional sports. The average range of sports offered by primary school has increased to 16.0.• Many schools are embracing non-traditional sports – the proportion of schools offering golf (up from 23 per cent to 31 per cent), cycling (up from 34 per cent to 42 per cent), archery (up from 16 per cent to 22 per cent), canoeing (up from 24 per cent to 29 per cent) and orienteering (up from 55 per cent to 59 per cent) have risen significantly over the last twelve months.• Familiar sports remain pre-eminent in schools – the five most popular sports offered by schools are football (98 per cent), dance (96 per cent), gymnastics (95 per cent), athletics (93 per cent) and cricket (90 per cent).• Schools are building more links with local clubs – schools now have links to seven different sports clubs. Two years ago, the average was just five. The most common links are with football clubs (78 per cent), cricket (56 per cent), dance (45 per cent), rugby union (44 per cent) and swimming (42 per cent).• Schools are getting better at identifying sporting excellence - the proportion of pupils registered gifted and talented has more than doubled in four years – from 3 per cent in 2003/04 to 7 per cent this year.• Girls at girls-only schools do less sport – 65 per cent of pupils at these schools – of which there were just 228 in the survey – take part in two hours or more a week of high quality sport.
Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:“It’s vital that children and young people are healthy and happy so that they can do well in life and I’m delighted that so many more children are now taking part in school sport – there has been a quiet revolution over the last few years. “Sport – like school food – is important to improve children’s lives and reduce childhood obesity. There is now a wide variety of sporting opportunities available, including both the traditional and the less familiar. “These latest figures reflect the considerable investment we’ve put into school sport, as well as the leadership provided by Youth Sport Trust and Sport England, and the work of School Sport Partnerships and local sports co-ordinators on the ground. Sports Ministers at DCMS have done a fantastic job over the last few years to make this a reality.“Now we need to concentrate on the children who are not taking advantage of these opportunities. We know that girls, especially as they get older, often stop taking part in sport. But there are some excellent examples around the country like a sports college in Warrington which runs evening fitness classes specifically for mums and daughters. “To make a big difference in child health, we need a new kind of partnership between government, schools and other local services and parents. There’s a role for government in getting regulations right, providing the infrastructure and getting parents to think more about sport and physical fitness. There’s a role for schools in showing leadership. But it’s what parents and kids do at home and after school which matters most.”James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “This is further evidence of the incredible turnaround in school sport. PE and sport are now at the heart of school life and form an integral part of a pupil's education. The research also shows that the days of 'one sport fits all' are over. Schools are offering a greater variety of sports than ever before and children now have more opportunities to try out and find a sport which is right for them. "It's also encouraging to see more and more competitive sport in and between schools. The new investment to give every pupil the chance to do five hours sport a week will build on this success and make competitive sport a key part of school life."Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced an additional £100m of investment to give every child the chance of five hours of sport per week, including two hours within the school day, and three hours for young people aged 16 to 19. Over the last ten years the Government has invested £2.3 billion and every school is now part of a school sport partnership.The investment will also fund a new National School Sports Week, championed by Dame Kelly Holmes, during which all schools will be encouraged to run sports days and inter-school tournaments. She said: “These latest results are great news and will act as further inspiration for all those responsible in schools and clubs to keep on delivering their fantastic work. “With more sports on offer in schools, including less traditional activities such as dance and rock climbing, young people really are getting more and more opportunities to participate in sport and find something they can enjoy and hopefully excel at.”In addition, there will be a network of 225 competition managers to increase competitive sports opportunities between schools, and more coaches in schools and the community to deliver expert advice to young people.The new funding builds on the £633 million already committed to creating a world class system for PE and school sport over the next three years.Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
About the Youth Sport Trust The Youth Sport Trust is a registered charity established in 1994 to build a brighter future for young people through sport. Its mission is to support the education and development of all young people through PE and sport. The Youth Sport Trust supports England’s 449 School Sport Partnerships which are working together to develop PE and sport opportunities for all young people and helps to deliver the National School Sport Strategy. For more information visit http://www.youthsporttrust.org.About Sport EnglandSport England exists to sustain and increase participation in community sport. It is a non-departmental public body and National Lottery distributor. Sport England's ambition is to get two million people participating more in sport by 2012. Sport England does this by promoting, advising and investing in community sport. Sport England has been a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields since August 1996. Sport England objects to any application that is detrimental to sport, unless alternative provision of at least equivalent value is found elsewhere.
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2007/0189
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