Sports & Play
Concerns about sport uptake BESA releases ‘PE and Sport Resourcing in Schools’ research
S
chools are finding the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) target of five hours per week increasingly unrealistic despite the forthcoming Olympics, a new survey has found.
In spite of the aim of the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) to give every school pupil access to five hours of PE and sport every week, 60 per cent of primary and 57 per cent of secondary schools are finding this increasingly unrealistic.
The findings of the highly anticipated research from BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association), carried out in conjunction with the National Education Research Panel (NERP), were derived from a questionnaire issued to state-maintained primary and secondary schools across England in September and early October 2011. The report reviews sports and PE equipment resourcing, with responses from PE co-ordinators and heads of department for PE and sports (and similar titles) received from 441 schools (243 primary, 198 secondary).
The research revealed the range of diverse and interrelated factors that are having an impact on the level of adoption of PE and sports by schools, including the Olympics and government policy.
Activity has increased in 22 per cent of secondary schools due to the Olympics. The views of primary PE co-ordinators is similar; however, they are less likely to feel that there have been improvements in activity due to government policy, with just 12 per cent citing this as an influencer. One worrying finding was that only 16 per cent of schools stated that any increase in time committed to PE and sport was due to obesity, despite the UK currently having the highest rate of childhood obesity in Europe, with 25 per cent of young people being classified as obese or overweight. 72 per cent of primary and 75 per cent of secondary schools felt that the only way to realise the target of five hours PE and sport each week was through lunchtime or after-school clubs. However, in light of the government’s recent withdrawal of Out of School House Learning (OSHL) and the dissolution of the School Sports Partnerships, schools are finding the target increasingly unrealistic.
Schools have cut their PE and sport budget down to an average of £550 in primary and £4620 in secondary education, which has lead to 56 per cent of primary schools and 41 per cent of secondary schools having to use Parent Teacher Association (PTA) money and other fundraising activities for new sports and PE resources, an increase from 45 per cent and 22 per cent respectively in 2007.
KIDS FIND FOOTBALL THE MOST SOCIABLE SPORT
New research sponsored by BT Coaching for Life, has found football to be the most sociable sport, with 59% of children who play football regularly having 17 friends or more. Three quarters of those parents described their kids as active and sporty.
The top ten most social sports were revealed to be:
Football – 59% Swimming – 56% Rugby – 20%
Ballet/dance classes – 19% Athletics – 18%
Netball – 16% Martial Arts – 16% Tennis – 15% Cricket – 13% Gymnastics – 13%
The percentages relate to children with 17 friends of more
Coaching for Life programme is aimed at 6 to 11 year olds, and encourages parents and carers to help children try different sports. The programme also includes 12 flexible games available as a downloadable application. The smart phone application means that wherever and whenever you want to get involved in sport, the Coaching for Life games are always in your back pocket. The resource is part of the Communication, Collaboration and Citizenship strand of Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme.
The survey also revealed that nearly two thirds of parents (60%) actively encouraged their kids to join teams and clubs to increase their circle of friends and more than half of parents (57%) believe that by taking part in sports their children’s friendship groups will grow. The figures highlight a strong link between being involved in sports and popularity, as the more teams and clubs a child is active in, the more interaction they will have with peers resulting in more friendships. Leon Taylor, former Olympic silver medallist and BT Coaching for Life ambassador, said: “Make praise your main tool, the most powerful tool you have as a coach is praise – but be careful to ensure you praise effort not talent. Remember to always be enthusiastic and lively to keep the children engaged and interested. Let children know that mistakes are okay. Finally and most importantly make sure you have fun!” The research also revealed that 86% of parents would rather their children take part in sports and outdoor pursuits, than playing computer games or watching TV indoors.
The research found that being involved in sports not only means children are more social, but they are better behaved too, nearly half (44%) of teachers surveyed said sporty children concentrate more and are well behaved in class.
Julie Hindley, BT Community Investment Manager, said: “Sports play a really beneficial role in children’s lives and can make a big difference in terms of health, well being and performance in other areas of life. As a sustainability partner to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, BT is encouraging parents and carers to help children try different sports together by introducing parents to key coaching principles they can adopt to help children get better at anything they tackle with the Coaching for Life programme.
uwww.bt.com/coachingforlife
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www.education-today.co.uk
January 2012
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