PE & School Sport Targets Smashed!
Nationally the Youth Sport Trust has welcomed the results of this year’s PE and School Sport Survey which show targets to engage more young people in PE and school sport have been smashed.
The 2007/08 survey of more than 21,000 schools in England found that 90% of pupils participated in at least two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week, beating the 2008 target of 85% by five percentage points and compared to just 62% in 2003/04.
The survey, the largest of its kind in
How Northumberland Compared
In Northumberland we are delighted to report that our figure is 91%, six percentage points above the National target.
Other notable achievements;
· Participation in inter school competitive activities was 53% also exceeding the National average of 41%.
· Sports Volunteering and Leadership also came out strongly with 22% of Northumberland pupils from years 1-13 involved. (National figure 16%).
This is excellent news and tribute should be paid to all staff in our schools, School Sport Partnerships and other key partners across our county. Their contribution in advocating, supporting and promoting increased opportunities for Physical Education and School sport has been immense.
These results lead us to believe that over the last five years there has been a major change, brought about in schools by the PESSCL strategy, with many pupils across the county benefiting from it.
There are however large differences in levels of participation between year groups in our schools;
· For years 1 – 9 participation rates were all in excess of 85%, which is excellent
· However there is a noticeable drop in years 10 and 11. Nationally this figure is 68% and in Northumberland this is lower at 67%.
The evidence suggests a key challenge exists at Key stage 4, where pupils are not being given enough time for curriculum physical education or opportunities to be physically active.
Overall though we are delighted with the results of the survey which show just how much great progress is being made in PE and school sport. We look forward to continuing to work with the network of partnership managers, SSCos, Headteachers, subject leaders, other members of school staff and many other adults supporting learning, who are working tirelessly to transform PE and sport in Northumberland. We would like to thank them for their continued dedication and hard work.
Our Next Key Challenge
In Northumnberland, we aim to continue to work with our partnership managers and sports colleges towards achieving the following;
- to increase the number of 5 – 16 yr olds participating in at least 2 hours of high quality Physical Education and sport at school each week; and create new opportunities for children and young people to participate in a further 3 hours each week of sporting activity, through school, voluntary and community providers
- to create new opportunities for 16 -19 yr olds to participate in a further 3 hrs per week of sporting activities through their colleges or in local clubs (attractive provision designed to stimulate and increase take up and sustain participation)
Please click on the Department for Schools, Children and Families report for full details. Alternatively, if you have any queries relating to the above, please contact us.
