Sport England launches positive PE experience pilot

Sport England is looking for up to 50 secondary schools to take part in a pilot project designed to give pupils a more positive experience of Physical Education and sport.

Insights gained through Sport England’s Youth Personalities work have highlighted, that while some young people are getting an enjoyable experience of PE and sport in school, not all are, which is impacting into their adult lives due to the negative experience they had in secondary school.

The pilot is being put together by a number of national partners including the Youth Sport Trust (YST), Association for PE (AfPE), Department for Education (DfE), Teaching Schools Council (TSC) and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EfDS). It will help shape a national programme that will offer specialist training and mentoring to at least two teachers in every secondary school in England by 2020.

Selected schools will receive a package of support and resources that will include funding, workforce training and mentoring.

Ali Oliver, Chief Executive of Youth Sport Trust, said:

“Curriculum PE is in decline at a time when it has never been needed more and we know that too many young people miss out on the huge benefits a good quality physical education can bring. Transforming PE’s place in the curriculum is a key strategic priority for YST.

This pilot is a great opportunity to challenge school decision makers to think differently about PE and sport as a tool for wider outcomes across their school.

Interested schools should email info-CYP@sportengland.org with the heading ‘Specialist Teacher Training Pilot’ for further information.