15th October 2007
The fourth annual School Sport Survey, released today, has again highlighted the outstanding work in PE and school sport up and down the country.
Through the commitment, innovation and dedication of the school sport network 86% of pupils now participate in two hours of high quality PE and out of hours school sport each week.
The latest findings from the School Sport Survey, which evaluates the School Sport Partnership Programme, was announced today by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State Ed Balls at Harris Girls’ Academy, South London – an academy with a specalism in sport. Also in attendance were National School Sport Champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Youth Sport Trust Chair, Sue Campbell.
The survey revealed that although the latest data is for 2006/07, the 2008 government target of 85% participation has already been exceeded.
Some of the highlights of this years’ survey include:
- A strong link between the longer a partnership has been established and the higher the level of participation in PE/school sport.
- That School Sport Partnership’s offer an average of 17 sports to pupils.
- Multi-skill clubs, golf, cycling, archery, canoeing, orienteering, outdoors/adventurous activity, tennis, fitness and rowing are the activities which have seen the largest increase in the past year.
- Partnership schools on average have links to seven different sports clubs.
Whilst at the school Gordon Brown advised schools not to stop there – urging them and as well as parents to do more to help girls’ participate in more sport – through measures such as scrapping “embarrassing” gym kit and offering alternative sports such as yoga and Frisbee.
Norwich Union Girls Active, championed by Double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes and which is in its second year, is already working to address these key issues.
Kelly 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.”
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.
The investment will also fund a new National School Sports Week, championed by Kelly Holmes, during which all schools will be encouraged to run sports days and inter-school tournaments. The money will also fund the roll out of 225 competition managers and more coaches in schools,
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.