MINISTERS HAIL NEW LEAP IN SCHOOL SPORT

MINISTERS HAIL NEW LEAP IN SCHOOL SPORT

London, 2 September/GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS News Release (2005/0097) issued by the
Government News Network on 2 September 2005
New figures published today show that secondary schools in school sport
partnerships have met their Government target a year early for pupils taking
part in two hours of PE and school sport each week. The annual School Sport
Survey 2004/05 also shows that primary schools have seen a major leap in
the numbers of their pupils participating in the same amount of PE and sport.

This year's survey of over 11,400 schools in school sport partnerships in
England shows that 69% of pupils now take part in two hours or more of
high quality PE and school sport each week, compared to 62% in 2003/04,
an increase of 11 per cent over the year.

The survey, the largest of its kind in Europe, confirms that secondary schools
within school sport partnerships have met the Government target a year early to
ensure that 75% of their pupils do at least two hours PE and sport each week.

Primary schools have boosted participation from 52% in 2003/04 to 64% in
2004/05, an increase of 23 per cent in just one year. The Government is
well on track to deliver its targets of 75% of all school children doing
two hours of PE and sport by 2006, 85% by 2008 and all by 2010.

Other key findings include:

* the number of pupils identified as gifted and talented and receiving
extra coaching in PE and sport has more than doubled to 106,100 from 44,400
last year;
* competitive sports are offered by almost all schools, with football (97%),
athletics (91%) and cricket (85%) at the top of the league; and schools each
offering an average of 15 different sports;
* as partnerships bed down, provision increases even further with 71% of
pupils doing two hours or more;
* 11% of 14-18 year olds in partnership schools are actively involved in
sports volunteering and leadership.

New guidance to deliver even more sport and activity in primary schools was
also published today, setting down simple schemes to adapt playgrounds into
'Zoneparc' activity zones.

The Government has already invested over £10 million to improve and redesign
600 primary school playgrounds, leading to better use for games in the
curriculum and playtimes. Pilot studies show that Zoneparcs increase the
amount of pupils' physical activity and improve behaviour. As a result of their
success, a further £2 million will be invested in 2006 to build another 100.

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said:

"We are investing over £1.5 billion in our future athletes from the earliest
age, and ensuring that PE and school sport are a major part of school life
for every pupil.

"The survey results show that we are making good progress in boosting sport
in schools, not least demonstrated by the significant year on year increases
in the number of pupils taking PE to GCSE level.

"I am particularly pleased to see that partnership secondary schools have
met our target a year early, and a rise in primary participation is ensuring
that we remain well on track to deliver our targets."

Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport added:

"These results confirm that we are well on our way to creating and maintaining
a sustainable pathway for all children and young people - no matter what
sport they enjoy - to guide them from primary school into a lifetime of
involvement in sport.

"Whether that is as an elite athlete winning medals on the world stage,
someone enjoying a kick-around in the park, a coach or a volunteer, this
pathway through schools is important to keeping kids engaged in sport. And,
many of our youngsters competing now may be winning medals on the podiums of
the London 2012 games. Many governing bodies are also strengthening the links
between their clubs and schools - and this is helping drive up participation."

NOTES TO EDITORS

This Press Notice applies to England.

1. School Sports Partnerships bring primary, special and secondary schools
together in a network, benefiting from extra staff and funding to increase
sports opportunities for pupils. At the time of the 2004/05 survey, over 54%
of schools in England were within a School Sport Partnership, compared to 30%
last year. This is set to increase to at least 75% of schools in September
and all schools will be within a partnership by 2006.

2. The Departments for Education and Skills, and Culture, Media and Sport
share a Public Service Agreement target to increase the percentage of
school children in England who spend a minimum of two hours each week on
high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75%
by 2006 and to 85% by 2008. A multi-million pound boost to facilities and
staffing is also giving young people the chance to take part in a further
two to three hours of sport outside school hours.

3. 144,194 pupils took GCSE PE in 2005 compared to 134,134 in 2004 - a rise
of 7.5% and the largest increase of all subjects. In 2004, entries increased
10% on the 2003 figures.

4. 22% of pupils in partnership schools participate in one or more sports
clubs linked to their school or the partnership. The figure in 2003/04 was 19%.

5. Results of 2004/05 School Sport Survey, Primary Playground
Development, and information on the national school sport strategy is on
www.teachernet.gov.uk/pe

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Source: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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