Today, the Department for Education published the School Sport and Activity Action Plan Update. In response, the Youth Sport Trust (YST) Chief Executive, Ali Oliver, welcomed the plan, including the commitment to investment and expectations of accountability.
Oliver stated: “The Youth Sport Trust works tirelessly to promote the importance of physical activity and sport in the development of children and young people. There is much to welcome in this Action Plan, not least the clear unequivocal statement that PE and sport is integral to what makes an excellent school.”
YST also called for the plan to extend to ensuring equal access to all sports for boys and girls, that schools continue to deliver a minimum of two hours of PE for all pupils each week and that the School Games Mark be used to celebrate schools delivering in this area.
Abhishna Yogarajan, Youth Board Member, 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. It’s important that this is extended to every young person regardless of the area they live in or the school they attend, has the opportunity to play and be active.”
Stephen Munday, Chief Executive of The Cam Academy Trust and Past President of the Chartered College of Teaching, welcomed the plan, stating: “We are absolutely clear about the fundamental role of physical activity, play, physical education and sport in the proper education of all young people, regardless of their stage of education. These things are crucial in strengthening attendance, pupil achievement and positive behaviour by young people.”
The School Sport and Activity Action Plan Update has been welcomed by the Youth Sport Trust and The Cam Academy Trust as a positive step in ensuring all children have the opportunity to play and be physically active.
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