PE & School Sport

In 2002, DCSF and DCMS launched the National PE, School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) Strategy and began to transform the landscape of PE and sport in schools. Through it, they have created a national structure, which enables more children and young people to take part in a wider range of sports for more time.

The 2008 target for the percentage of 5-16 year olds participating in at least two hours high quality PE and school sport each week was 85%; School Sport Partnerships surpassed this nationally with a figure of 86%. The target for 2010 is 100% and the aim will be to have all SSPs within the sub region reaching this target.

Building on this success, the DCSF want to go further and ensure that sport becomes a natural part of every young person's life, not only during their school years, but also into their college and working lives.

The new PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) launched in January 2008 expresses the Government's commitment to improve the quantity and quality of PE and sport undertaken by young people aged 5-19 in England.

The new strategy is set out in the Public Service Agreement target 22, 'To deliver a successful Olympic Games and Paralympic Games with a sustainable legacy and get more children and young people taking part in high quality PE and sport'

They are investing at least £755 million over the next three years, to 2011, to extend the Strategy. Their new ambition is to:

• Create a new '5 hour offer' for all 5-16 year olds. Continue to increase the number of 5-16 year olds taking part in at least two hours high quality PE and sport at school each week; and create new opportunities for them to participate in a further three hours each week of sporting activity, through school, voluntary and community providers; and
• Create new opportunities for all 16-19 years olds to participate in three hours each week of sporting activities through their colleges or in local clubs

The aim is to create a world-class system for PE and sport for all children and young people, which will stimulate and increase their participation in sport, and sustain it.

For all local PE & School Sport contacts click here