facilities for sport
Funding not enough to build sustainable provision
In order to secure a 2012 legacy for school sport, the Government must match long-term vision with long term funding to sport, according to a report from the House of Commons Education Committee.
T
HE GAMES generated massive enthusiasm among young people and ministers need to act to ensure that the momentum is not lost amid short- term plans and funding. Earlier this year, the Government announced £300m of investment to go directly into the hands of primary headteachers to spend on improving sport, PE and encouraging healthy lifestyles for their pupils over the next two years. However, if school sport is
Competition
The balance of evidence to the Committee’s inquiry supports the view that competition in school can deter some young people from participating in sport and physical activity. The report therefore recommends that the Department makes clear to all schools that they must offer both competitive and non-competitive sporting opportunities to their pupils.
to grow, it needs sustained funding and time to develop, argues Committee chair Graham Stuart. “We are concerned that the Government’s Primary Sport Premium—while correctly focussed—is only being given to schools for two years. “This is simply not long enough for schools to build a sustained provision. Many head teachers will be struggling to decide how to spend the money most effectively and, if the funding is not extended, there is a risk the Primary Sport Premium will become little more than a gimmick.”
Alternatives The Committee recognised that the ending of the School Sports Partnerships funding had a negative impact, including on the opportunities for young people to access competitive sporting opportunities in school. School sport partnerships were expensive but delivered benefits for children, it was felt. The Government now needs to show that an alternative programme (at lower cost) can deliver significant increases in participation in school sport. Graham Stuart adds: “Successive governments have kicked school sport
Diary date
The funding and building programme for schools and the future of school sport is a major topic at the next SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association) Conference on Monday 27 January 2014. Details:
www.sapca.org.uk
educationdab.co.uk 63 Recommendations
to Govt • Set out a plan for the sustained support and development of school sports policy
•Devise a new strategy for school sports that builds on the strengths of the School Sport Partnership model
• Make guidance on the use of the Primary Sport Premium as practical and usable as possible
• Establish further accountability measures to ensure that schools are delivering high quality sport for their pupils.
around as a political football, announcing short-term fixes without any sustained vision for the future. Occasional pump- priming is simply not good enough for something so important.”
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