Schools primed for success with PE and sport premium funding

We’re all aware of the alarming rise in childhood obesity, with questions being asked of how to tackle it and where to start.

Logically lots of parents and policy makers are looking to schools to lead the way in getting their kids active and healthy.

Against this backdrop, the second round of PE and sport premium allocation funding was released this week. The funding, introduced in 2013, goes directly to primary school headteachers so that they can decide how best to use it to provide PE and sporting activities for pupils.

The overarching aim of the funding is of course to ensure that young children engage in good quality and enjoyable exercise and sport classes at school.

I always looked forward to PE at primary and junior school. It was definitely a lesson that pushed me to join the sports teams, which in turn increased my confidence at an early age. From there the natural progression to joining after school and weekend teams was a logical choice.

Admittedly I didn’t have the vast array of technological lures that many children have today. A Nintendo or Megadrive were the only distractions at home. Which is why improving the quality of PE teaching is even more important today, to encourage children to be active away from the classroom and not stay indoors. Which is where the PE and sport premium funding comes in.

Research has shown that nine out of ten schools have already improved the quality of their PE lessons as a result of the funding - and more than 90% reported improvements in children’s health, behaviour and lifestyle.

Further than that, the PE and sport premium research report produced after the first round of funding, gives encouraging details about increased participation. The report found that:

• 84% of schools said that there had been an increase in pupil engagement in PE during curricular time; this was more likely amongst schools with higher levels of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM). Similarly, 83 percent of schools reported an increase in the levels of participation in extra-curricular activities.

• 79% of responding teachers thought that the premium had increased participation for all children. Particular groups of pupils were also mentioned in relation to this increased participation, including those less engaged/least active (38%), disadvantaged children (35%), and children with special education needs (SEN) (30%). Around a fifth of schools reported an increase in participation particularly amongst girls.

• Around half of schools (51%) had increased participation in intra-schools competitions, and 63% reported an increase in inter-school competitions.

Increasing participation in good quality physical exercise in schools is the first step in encouraging children to remain active and healthy in later life. What’s also become apparent is the important role qualified, specialist teachers and coaches have to play.

This is where sport and recreational organisations can make a difference and get involved in offering support to local schools. The kids in class today become the active registered members of tomorrow.

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