The Prime Minister has announced a bold new vision for school sport, introducing plans for new School Sport Partnerships and an Enrichment Framework.
The announcement also sets a clear commitment for equal access and the protection of two hours of high-quality physical education for every child each week, along with the introduction of new ‘sport profiles’ that outline each school’s sport and enrichment provision.
We welcome this announcement as the latest Active Lives Children and Young People Survey Report highlights persistent and significant challenges in how children and young people engage with sport and physical activity, reinforcing the urgent need for more inclusive, youth-led and enjoyable movement experiences:
- Fewer than half of children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s Physical Activity Guidelines.
- Only 49% of children strongly agree that they enjoy being active.
- Government guidelines recommend that children and young people achieve 30 minutes of physical activity during the school day, and 30 minutes outside of school. However, our research indicates that only 45% of children meet this target during school hours and just 56% meet it outside of school, with participation levels varying significantly across different demographic groups.
- For some young people, school is their only opportunity to experience the benefits and enjoyment that sport and physical activity can bring in these formative years.
The announcement sets out a clear strategic vision that will benefit generations to come.