Schools racing ahead of sport targets

New figures published on 17 October showed a significant increase in the number of children doing at least two hours PE and school sport each week, exceeding government targets to revitalise sport in schools, and help tackle obesity.

This year's survey, 2005/06 School Sport Survey of more than 16,800 schools in school sport partnerships reveals that 80 per cent of pupils now take part in at least two hours high quality PE and sport a week, beating the 75 per cent target set for 2006.

The figure represents an increase of 29 per cent since the first survey two years ago. The greatest improvement has taken place in primary schools, particularly for five to eight year olds, but secondary and specialist schools have also exceeded the 2006 target.

School sport partnerships - school networks working to build opportunities for physical activity - have proved key to boosting PE and sport. Every school in England is now part of a school sport partnership, supported by 400 sports colleges, providing a platform for future sporting excellence in our schools.

Other key findings include:

Competitive sport on the rise in schools. 97 per cent of schools held at least one sports day and secondary schools staged more than 10,700 sports festivals for primary schools. Almost three quarters (71 per cent) of pupils participate in intra-school sports competitions (house matches and leagues) and more than a third (37 per cent) competes in fixtures between schools.
Broader range of sports on offer to pupils. Schools offer an average of 16 sports. Most provide traditional sports such as football (98 per cent), athletics (92 per cent) and cricket (89 per cent) but there have been big increases in multi skill clubs, which teach generic physical skills in primary school, (from 26 per cent to 56 per cent in two years), and in fitness activities.
Stronger links formed between schools and local sports clubs. More than a quarter of pupils (27 per cent) are doing sport in local clubs, including dance and multiskill, through formal links set up with schools, up from 19 per cent since the first survey two years ago.
More potential sport stars of the future found. The number of pupils identified as gifted and talented and receiving extra support with their studies and training has increased to 189,000, four times more than in 2003/04 (44,000).
More young people involved in sports leadership. Thirteen per cent of pupils in Year 10-13 actively involved in sports leadership and volunteering, up 44 per cent on 2003/04.

Secretary of State for Education and Skills Alan Johnson said: 'Four million young people are now doing two or more hours of PE and sport a week. This is a massive achievement and I want to pay tribute to our schools, school sport partnerships and clubs for their hard work and drive.

'This survey confirms that we are transforming PE and sport. And now that our school sport partnerships cover all maintained schools in England the benefits of physical activity will be available to every pupil in the country. Our aim is to raise participation levels to at least 85 per cent by 2008 and offer all children four hours of sport a week by 2010.

'As well as meeting this target, our immediate challenges for the future include working with school sport partnerships to see how we can reach those pupils who think sport is not for them, and to encourage more high quality sport and PE at Key Stage 4."

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: 'The fantastic results we have announced today show just how far we have come in providing high quality sport for schoolchildren across the country. It is a real accomplishment to have surpassed our participation target, and a testament to the hard work of all those involved in school sport.

'We have created a strong school sport structure, so that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to take part, compete and excel in sport. This is good news for Britain's gold medal hopes in 2012 and beyond.'

Dame Kelly Holmes was appointed earlier this year as National School Sport Champion to help inspire and motivate young people to get then into sport. She added: 'Over the last eight months since I've been fulfilling my role as National School Sport Champion, I've seen at first hand the fantastic work being done in schools across the country by everyone from teachers to volunteers to increase the range of opportunities for young people to get more involved in, and benefit from, PE and school sport.

'The results of the survey out today confirm that the work being done is making a real difference to the lives of those young people, giving them fantastic opportunities to learn and develop. I strongly believe in the power of sport to give youngsters the opportunities they deserve, and I relish the challenge we all face in the coming year as we build on the successes achieved to date.'

Source: Department for Education and Science