Latest news with #YouthSportTrust
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Calls for schools to ditch formal uniforms to help kids be more active
Children's organisations are calling for schools to switch formal uniforms in favour of clothing more suitable for play and physical activity to help children become more Play and Learning (Opal), a programme set up by former Bristol teacher Michael Follett, is behind the campaign and have joined with other groups who want to encourage always-active school uniforms. Several schools across the south west of England have already adopted the idea and others are discussing the changes. PE lead at Summerhill Academy in Bristol, Sally Goodridge, said changing the uniform has made "children much more comfortable and we can jump up and get active at any time in the day". Play England, Youth Sport Trust, and Opal with Bristol charity Children's Scrapstore are signing up to the Phillips, head teacher of East Wichel Primary School in Swindon, said the school made the decision to change to an active uniform a few years ago."Coming out of Covid, we were seeing more and more children struggling with their mental health, spending more time on screens, and being less active than before [so] as a school, we knew we had to do something that would make a real difference," she said they believe physical and mental health go hand-in-hand and children have a "right to move, play, and spend time outdoors every day". PE lead at Summerhill Academy in Bristol, Sally Goodridge, said due to the change in uniform, "the children are much more comfortable and we can jump up and get active at any time in the day".They have more time during PE lessons as they do not need to get changed and it is cheaper as there is only one uniform to buy," she said. Glyn Jones, head teacher at Blue Coat Primary, in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire said: "Schools need to adapt to a changing world."The clothes that adults wear to work have changed; seeing somebody wearing a suit or other formal clothes is a rarity [so] schools need to reflect this." Head teacher Nichola Chesterton from Chilthorne Domer Church School near Yeovil in Somerset said the topic of changing the school uniform has been divisive, with more than half of the children in the oldest class preferring to wear the traditional children she said felt they would struggle to concentrate if they were in more relaxed want to keep the uniform "because of our status as a church school and to respect the church when we visit," she added.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Troubling decline' in secondary school PE lessons
A "troubling decline" in the number of hours England's secondary school pupils spend doing physical education (PE) "should be a wake-up call to society", according to children's exercise charity the Youth Sport Trust (YST). The organisation says figures show "nearly 4,000 PE hours lost in the last year alone" in state-funded schools, and calls for "urgent action to protect and prioritise" the subject. The YST also claims that since the London 2012 Olympics "almost 45,000 PE hours have disappeared from secondary school timetables", and that the number of PE teachers in England has also dropped by 7%. In response, the government said it is "determined to break down barriers to accessing PE and school sports for young people". In its annual report, the YST says that 2.2 million children in England are now doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day, and less than half (48%) are meeting the UK's Chief Medical Officers' recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. It says the steepest decline has hit 11-14-year-olds, with more than 2,800 hours cut and 347 teachers lost for this age group in the past year, at a time of rising childhood obesity rates. YST also adds that girls, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those from disadvantaged backgrounds "continue to face the greatest barriers to being active". However, the study also found that 93% of young people believe PE is important, 71% want to be more active at school, and 96% of teachers agree that sport and play benefit mental wellbeing. While PE is a mandatory subject in schools, the recommended amount of two hours a week is not enforced. YST chief executive Ali Oliver said: "Our children are moving less, feeling unhappier, and losing access to the transformative power of PE, contributing to stagnant physical activity levels. "The fall in PE hours is sadly an exacerbation of a longer-term trend and should be a wake-up call to society, from policymakers to schools and parents. "Unless we take action to reverse these damaging trends and increase activity levels to improve wellbeing, we risk failing a generation." In a statement, the government said: "These figures highlight the government's dire inheritance, but we're determined to break down barriers to accessing PE and school sports for young people through our Plan for Change, helping to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. "We are working across the government and with our partners including Youth Sport Trust and Sport England to boost participation and have already invested £100m to upgrade sports facilities and launched a programme to improve access to sports for pupils with special education needs and disabilities. "Our ongoing curriculum and assessment review seeks to deliver a broader curriculum, so that children do not miss out on subjects including PE and sport."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
'Troubling decline' in secondary school PE lessons
A "troubling decline" in the number of hours England's secondary school pupils spend doing physical education (PE) "should be a wake-up call to society", according to children's exercise charity the Youth Sport Trust (YST).The organisation says figures show "nearly 4,000 PE hours lost in the last year alone" in state-funded schools, and calls for "urgent action to protect and prioritise" the YST also claims that since the London 2012 Olympics "almost 45,000 PE hours have disappeared from secondary school timetables", and that the number of PE teachers in England has also dropped by 7%.In response, the government said it is "determined to break down barriers to accessing PE and school sports for young people". In its annual report, the YST says that 2.2 million children in England are now doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day, and less than half (48%) are meeting the UK's Chief Medical Officers' recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity a says the steepest decline has hit 11-14-year-olds, with more than 2,800 hours cut and 347 teachers lost for this age group in the past year, at a time of rising childhood obesity also adds that girls, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those from disadvantaged backgrounds "continue to face the greatest barriers to being active".However, the study also found that 93% of young people believe PE is important, 71% want to be more active at school, and 96% of teachers agree that sport and play benefit mental wellbeing. 'We risk failing a generation' While PE is a mandatory subject in schools, the recommended amount of two hours a week is not chief executive Ali Oliver said: "Our children are moving less, feeling unhappier, and losing access to the transformative power of PE, contributing to stagnant physical activity levels."The fall in PE hours is sadly an exacerbation of a longer-term trend and should be a wake-up call to society, from policymakers to schools and parents."Unless we take action to reverse these damaging trends and increase activity levels to improve wellbeing, we risk failing a generation."In a statement, the government said: "These figures highlight the government's dire inheritance, but we're determined to break down barriers to accessing PE and school sports for young people through our Plan for Change, helping to improve their mental and physical wellbeing."We are working across the government and with our partners including Youth Sport Trust and Sport England to boost participation and have already invested £100m to upgrade sports facilities and launched a programme to improve access to sports for pupils with special education needs and disabilities."Our ongoing curriculum and assessment review seeks to deliver a broader curriculum, so that children do not miss out on subjects including PE and sport."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sport sector warns government over investment
Leaders across the sport and physical-activity sector have jointly written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, warning that if they are not prioritised in government spending plans, it will "risk the decline or closure of more facilities and clubs".The letter, seen by BBC Sport, has been signed by organisations including the Youth Sport Trust, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, gym and leisure-centre body Ukactive and the Sport for Development it, they say that next week's Spending Review, which will outline departmental budgets, "marks a crucial moment of opportunity.""We believe now, more than ever, is the time to unlock fully the true potential of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector," they write."Failure to do this will risk… a reduction in physical activity levels, a negative impact on physical and mental health, greater health inequalities and lower productivity." A government spokesperson said: "Everyone must be able to access and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including children and people with disabilities."By delivering our plan for change we can create a more active nation, revive grassroot sport clubs in communities and give our young people the best start in life."According to Ukactive, more than 200 swimming pools in England have closed since the joint letter, which has also been signed by Active Partnerships and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the bodies tell Starmer: "As a lover of sport and physical activity, we know you understand its unique power to unite the country, to make people healthier and happier, and positively shape and transform lives."Following last summer's successful Olympic and Paralympic Games you publicly recognised this."Our sector generates social and economic value worth more than £107bn annually… but there is huge untapped potential being left on the bench."The UK's physical activity levels rank 11th out of 15 comparable European nations and the most recent participation data shows significant inequalities remain across different demographic groups and communities."In April, Sport England claimed that record numbers of people in the country were now playing sport or taking part in physical activity, but said there is "still much to do".
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities to get better PE access
Teachers will get expert training in creating and delivering lessons that meet the diverse needs of all pupils - including those with physical, sensory, cognitive, communication or social and emotional needs Hundreds of thousands of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities will get better access to PE lessons. Teachers will get expert training in creating and delivering lessons that meet the diverse needs of all pupils - including those with physical, sensory, cognitive, communication or social and emotional needs. The Government has announced an initial £300,00 for the first year to back the Inclusion Programme 2028. The scheme expects to work with over 8,000 schools supporting more than 240,000 pupils and 10,000 teachers and practitioners in England across the three years. School Standards Minister Catherine McKinnell said: 'Sport has the unique power to break down barriers, build confidence and foster a sense of belonging. By building a generation of teachers with the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality PE and school sport for all pupils, we can ensure that every child gets their chance to shine.' Paralympian Laura Sugar said: 'Growing up as a child with a disability I have experienced how physical activity can help improve day-to-day life and enhance mobility, as well as social and mental benefits so it is important that we make PE accessible for all.' Eden Hays, 13, a pupil at Brooklands Middle School, said: 'Sport is important for everyone's mental health and wellbeing, but especially for children with disabilities, where life is that bit harder. "Being active has helped keep me both physically and mentally strong and ensured opportunities both in and out of school. Opportunities not just in competing, but both leading and educating too. Sport can be adapted for everyone and should be enjoyed by all.' CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, Ali Oliver MBE said: 'We are pleased the Department for Education is continuing to support the transformation of PE and school sport, and access to daily physical activity for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. 'The Youth Sport Trust believes these opportunities play a fundamental role in the education and enrichment provided by schools, and the experience offers an invaluable opportunity for young people to express themselves, enjoy movement, and develop essential life skills. 'Too many children, particularly those with additional needs, are either missing out or still face barriers to inclusion and there is so much more to do to create the capacity capability and opportunity in the system for every child." Inclusion 2028 is delivered by a consortium of the Youth Sport Trust, ParalympicsGB, Swim England, Activity Alliance and supported by the Association for PE, the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and Sport for Confidence.
