Peacock unveils boost to school PE

More time, more teachers and more choice – that's the future for PE in Scotland's schools, Education Minister Peter Peacock announced today.

14 June 2004
More time, more teachers and more choice – that's the future for PE in Scotland's schools, Education Minister Peter Peacock announced today.

Responding to the PE Review Group's report, published today, the Minister said he was committed to boosting the opportunities for all Scotland's pupils to adopt more active lifestyles.

Among the measures announced today are:

Mr Peacock said:
"When I was at school I had the great fortune to have an inspiring PE teacher. While Bill McLaren may have been the voice of rugby worldwide, in my school days he was also the voice of cricket, of athletics, of tennis, of swimming and every other sport imaginable.

"A large part of my enthusiasm for what I am announcing today derives from the very positive experience of PE I had at school. I want more and more young people to have the opportunity to be engaged by sport, to have greater choice in the activities they pursue and to be inspired by their PE teachers, just as I was.

"We all know the benefits that flow from a healthy lifestyle and school has a major part to play in ensuring every young person is more active. Today I am not just accepting the report's recommendations, I am going further than they suggested.

"The Executive is committed to improving levels of physical activity and helping turn the tide of growing obesity levels. To do this, we need to make it easier and fun for young people to be engaged and more active - the measures I have announced today will do just that.

"By increasing the amount of time allocated to PE and training more teachers, pupils will receive high quality PE from an early age. Increasing the choice of activities – to include activities like dance, aerobics and martial arts – will help to reach pupils, particularly girls, who may have been turned off by more traditional sports.

"I believe it's crucial that young people build activity into their lives from the earliest age and that's why I am also looking at ways to encourage the development of appropriate physical education in the pre-school sector.

"I know that revamping PE alone cannot make Scots more active. But it can make activity more attractive and, coupled with existing initiatives, ensure future generations have solid foundations for lifelong engagement in sports and a healthier life."

North Lanarkshire Council Education Director Michael O'Neill, who chaired the PE Review Group, said:
"I welcome the minister's endorsement of the principles underpinning our report and his willingness to resource the recommendation. I am sure that, over the next few years, the importance of these recommendations will lead to significant improvements in both the levels of participation in PE and in the quality of provision."