The Youth Sport Trust has expressed concern over the results of the ‘Levelling the playing field: the physical education subject report’ from OFSTED published today, which shows that the amount of PE delivered in schools drops as children progress through their school career.
The Trust is aware that only 47% of children are achieving the Chief Medical officers recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day and that 2.2 million are officially classed as inactive. Consequently, they believe that PE is not being valued for its contribution to learning across the curriculum and that it must be focussed on helping young people develop a positive relationship and enjoyment of sport and activity.
The report paints a more positive picture in primary schools, reflecting the Primary PE and Sport Premium, however the Trust is disappointed with the lack of variety in the sports being used to physically educate in secondary schools.
Reference is made in the report to the importance of the breadth of activities offered within the PE curriculum and the FA’s determination to drive growth through investment and a strategic approach. The Youth Sport Trust also refers to their 2023 Youth Summit which concluded with a set of recommendations from young people about having the freedom to choose what activities are offered.
The report also highlights the importance of ensuring staff are equipped and confident in inclusive practice when it comes to pupils with Special Educational Needs. The Youth Sport Trust have teamed up with a consortium of organisations to increase opportunities for disabled young people to enjoy PE, school sport and physical activity.
The Trust welcomes the report and the focus it will bring to PE in schools, but believe it is time to re-imagine the whole curriculum and the way PE is taught.
The Youth Sport Trust has expressed concern over the results of the ‘Levelling the playing field: the physical education subject report’ from OFSTED published today. It reveals that the amount of PE delivered in schools drops as children progress through their school career, with only around half of secondary schools allocating the same 2 hours of PE recommended by government to all year groups.
With only 47% of children achieving the Chief Medical officers recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day and 2.2 million officially classed as inactive, the value and contribution of PE within the curriculum must be addressed.
The report paints a more positive picture in primary schools, reflecting the Primary PE and Sport Premium, however the Youth Sport Trust is disappointed with the lack of variety in the sports used to physically educate in secondary schools. The Trust’s 2023 Youth Summit concluded with a set of recommendations from young people about having the freedom to choose what activities are offered.
The report also highlights the importance of ensuring staff are equipped and confident in inclusive practice when it comes to pupils with Special Educational Needs. The Youth Sport Trust have teamed up with a consortium of organisations to increase opportunities for disabled young people to enjoy PE, school sport and physical activity.
The Youth Sport Trust has welcomed the report and the focus it will bring to PE in schools, but have also emphasised their belief that it is time to re-imagine the whole curriculum and the way PE is taught.
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