FEATURE FOCUS: FUNDING
talking point, raising the profile of PE and sport throughout a school, teachers included, for whole school improvement across the year groups. Designed to be used all year round, equipment such as an outdoor gym draws on the wellbeing benefits of exercising outdoors, including improved academic attainment, reduced symptoms of stress and anxiety and better focus. Some equipment even exploits the power of imaginative play to keep children active, while many pieces of kit resemble fitness equipment pupils may see at home or on TV, helping them to make connections with a healthy lifestyle.
more barriers to accessing opportunities to be active, missing out on these benefits as a result, and are less confident taking part in activities. Fewer children are enjoying taking part in sport and physical activity and fewer are finding it easy. It also reported that 54% of children would like to do more exercise or sport than they are currently doing, with nine out of 10 children reporting spending less time playing outside with friends than before the pandemic. Further research by Sport England, in its Active Lives Children and Young People report, shows 37% of girls only do sport and physical activity in school and that teenage girls, less affluent children, and those from Black and Asian backgrounds rely more than others on ‘at school’ provision for their activity opportunities. Both organisations refer to ‘physical literacy’ in their research, which ensures young people are equipped not just with the skills to take part in sports and physical activity but also with the confidence and understanding that continued participation is needed for a healthy lifestyle. It is crucial then, that the unique opportunity schools have to tackle inequalities and inspire positive attitudes to sport and physical activities among young people, is maximised to its full potential.
And perhaps that has been a driver behind the update to the guidelines. Schools should be encouraged to be ambitious in their approach to meeting the goals of the premium, developing a PE and sports delivery plan alongside an investment plan to ensure intentions and outcomes marry up.
Importantly schools also need to be prepared to evidence their achievements. An admin task maybe, but an analysis tool which is as valuable to schools as it is to decision-makers. If schools are serious about making a difference, they have to be dedicated.
Investing for the best advantage In addition to the PE and Sport Premium commitment, the Government has also pledged support to the School Games Mark, refreshed the School Sport Action Plan and revealed a new
digital tool will be made available in the summer to support premium reporting requirements. Allocations for the current school year are due to be paid in the coming weeks (28th April - 3rd May) and details of how this has been spent should be published by recipients by 31st July 2023 at the latest.
The installation of fitness equipment, such as outdoor gyms, secures improvement across the five key indicators in the funding guidance.
1. Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport The addition of outdoor fitness equipment, which may be described as a revenue expense under school policy, opens up the opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills of PE and sports teachers.
It provides additional tools at their disposal, inspiring new ways of delivering lessons and incorporating the equipment into sessions. This can be circuit training for example, teaching about the importance of stretching for injury prevention and enhanced mobility, setting time challenges or embedding good warm up and cool down procedures.
2. Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity With a wide variety of inclusive and wheelchair accessible equipment to choose from, such as multi gyms and multi-user stations, outdoor fitness equipment is a popular way to engage all pupils in regular physical activity. Multi-user designs are key to this, as even the most reluctant pupils prefer to work out alongside their friends. For some young people, the social benefits that come with taking up a new sport or activity is what drives them to continue taking part. Making friends, building confidence and getting involved in new experiences contributes as much to wellbeing as improved fitness through activity.
3. The profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
New outdoor fitness equipment is a real 30
www.education-today.co.uk
4. Broader experience of a range of sports and physical activities offered to all pupils Having their own outdoor fitness equipment, designed and built specially for users under 4ft 7ins tall, means all pupils can broaden their experience of physical activity. Again, with so much variety on offer, equipment can be designed to meet the interests and needs of target groups now and in the future. Removing time restrictions and travel barriers is also important for keeping young people engaged in sport and physical activity. With facilities available in the playground, travel costs are eliminated, and pupils have the chance to take part in active challenges during school hours. Those who might otherwise never get to experience gym-based fitness sessions, for example, now have instant access to safe, reliable facilities.
5. Increased participation in competitive sport
As most outdoor fitness equipment is free to access once installed, it is a sustainable investment that can be made available to all pupils at no further cost. This in turn drives increased participation especially during break and lunch times. Outdoor fitness equipment can also support the development of new and existing sports provision, such as being used in training for competitive sports matches, as well as being used in challenges to foster respect for healthy competition and performance improvement.
Involving the whole family in sport is thought to be one of the best ways to engage young people and often children are aware of their parents or siblings ‘going to the gym.’ With outdoor fitness facilities at school, pupils have their own provision which they will feel comfortable using.
Making change a priority
An investment in outdoor fitness facilities instantly develops and adds to the PE, sport and physical activity provision within schools. As well as additional capacity, equipment such as an outdoor gym delivers long-lasting, sustainable improvements that pupils will benefit from in future years.
Outdoor fitness equipment helps to create an environment where physical activity is a natural part of the school day – the firsts steps in developing a culture of physical literacy. Lasting change is a priority of the PE and Sport
Premium.
This may be the most important opportunity primary schools will have to make a positive, deep-rooted difference to the relationship between a generation of pupils and a love of physical activity for good health.
April 2023
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
