Why better guidance on school PE is needed

Since lockdown began in England, children have become increasing sedentary with one in fourteen children reported to be doing no daily exercise. Before lockdown, 47 percent of children were meeting the Chief Medical Officer's guidelines on being active for 60 minutes a day, but this has now dropped to 19 percent. As schools prepare to re-open in September, the provision of Physical Education (PE), sport and physical activity will be crucial to help address the potential damage caused by this level of inactivity. Our researchers are calling on the UK Government to change current policies and funding arrangements to ensure PE is prioritised in primary and secondary schools and to provide clear guidelines on the purpose of school sport and physical activity (PESSPA). Short-term solutions Currently, primary schools receive funding for schools sport and physical activity, called the PE and Sport Premium (PES Premium), but it is only ever guaranteed for a year at a time. The funding for the next academic year was only announced on 5th July, which doesn't leave much time for planning. Our research shows that this approach has led to many schools using the money for short term solutions, such as hiring external sports coaches rather than employing a PE teacher.