🏃‍♀️ Access to Sport: PE in Schools

• Importance of Sport and PE: The debate highlighted the crucial role of sport and physical education (PE) in schools, not only for physical fitness but also for mental health, social skills, and resilience. A young constituent, Tane, emphasized how exercise aids in socialising, raising self-esteem, and coping with loss, which are essential life skills.

• Health Benefits: Sport and exercise have clear health benefits, both physical and mental. The Active Lives survey by Sport England showed that while overall activity levels have remained stable post-COVID, the long-term effects have impacted children’s engagement with sport and their mental wellbeing.

• Challenges for Girls: The debate addressed the significant challenges girls face in accessing sport, including a lack of confidence and fear of judgment, particularly around body image. Initiatives like the “biggest ever football session” for girls were praised, and the need for equitable access to sports was stressed.

• Socioeconomic Barriers: Children from less affluent families face greater challenges in accessing sports facilities. For example, only 50% of children from the least affluent families can swim 25 meters by the end of primary school, compared to 90% from wealthier families.

• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has had a profound effect on children’s attitudes towards physical activity, especially those in nursery or early primary school during the lockdown. These children are now less likely to have positive attitudes towards sport and show lower levels of happiness and resilience.

• Inclusivity for SEND Students: The debate highlighted the need for more inclusive sports programs for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Currently, 75% of SEND students are not active in school, and there is a call for better teacher training and adaptive equipment to support these students.

• Curriculum and Funding: There was a call for a diverse PE curriculum that includes activities beyond traditional sports to engage more students. The debate also stressed the need for sustainable funding frameworks for PE, including the pupil premium and school games organisers, to ensure long-term planning and effectiveness.

• Government Actions: The government has taken steps such as publishing new guidance for equal access to sports for boys and girls, setting a minimum of two hours of PE per week, and launching the Get Active strategy to increase participation. However, concerns were raised about the potential impact of ending business rates relief for independent schools on community sports facilities.

• Personal Experiences: Many MPs shared personal stories of their experiences with PE and sports in school, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. These stories underscored the importance of making sports enjoyable and accessible to all students, regardless of their athletic ability.

• Future Commitments: The Minister confirmed ongoing government commitment to breaking down barriers to sports access and ensuring high-quality PE for all students. Funding for school games organisers was confirmed until the end of the 2024-25 academic year, with further announcements expected soon.

The parliamentary session on ‘Access to Sport: PE in Schools’ displayed a very low level of disagreement. The debate was characterized by a strong consensus on the importance of physical education and sports in schools, with multiple members echoing similar views on its benefits for health, mental well-being, and life skills. There were no significant opposing viewpoints or arguments presented throughout the session. Members from different political parties, including Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives, all contributed with supportive perspectives and shared personal anecdotes underscoring the positive impacts of sports. Specific issues such as funding for sports facilities and inclusivity for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) students were brought up, but even in these cases, the discourse was focused on how to enhance these aspects rather than debating their necessity. For example, Leigh Ingham, Claire Young, and Liam Conlon all emphasized the need for better sports inclusivity for SEND students, with no dissenting voices. Rebecca Paul from the Conservatives highlighted past government efforts to improve sports access and raised concerns about current policies, but did so without directly challenging others’ points. The Minister, Catherine McKinnell, concluded the debate by reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing sports participation, further indicating a unified stance. Overall, the session was marked by collaborative discussion and agreement, justifying a rating of 1 for disagreement.