The Department for Education today published the School Sport and Activity Action Plan Update, which has been welcomed by the Youth Sport Trust, The Cam Academy Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching.
The Youth Sport Trust’s Chief Executive, Ali Oliver, said: “The Youth Sport Trust works tirelessly to promote the importance of physical activity and sport in the development of children and young people. We help schools understand the fundamental place of physical activity, play and sport in the education and development of young people, and children get their right to play and be physically active.”
The Action Plan includes a commitment to investment, alongside clear expectations and accountability. However, less than half of children and young people currently meet the Chief Medical Officers’ guidance of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
The Action Plan will encourage schools to deliver a minimum of two hours of PE for all pupils each week and equal access to all sports for boys and girls. It also looks to build on the School Games, extend funding for the School Games Organiser network, open school facilities and the Holiday and Activities Food programme.
Youth Board Member, Abhishna Yogarajan, commented: “Physical activity is so important for mental health and wellbeing, I’m really pleased to see the government committing to two hours a week of PE in every school but continue to believe that activity every day should be prioritised.”
Stephen Munday, Chief Executive of The Cam Academy Trust and Past President of the Chartered College of Teaching, said: “We greatly welcome the publication today of the School Sport and Activity Action Plan Update. We are absolutely clear about the fundamental role of physical activity, play, physical education and sport in the proper education of all young people. These things are crucial in strengthening attendance, pupil achievement and positive behaviour by young people.”
The Action Plan sets out important policy and investment for the next two years, however it is believed that this should only be seen as the first step and a long term, more radical and transformational strategy is needed to address the scale of the wellbeing issues and inequalities facing schools.
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