Building on the success nationally and here in Buckinghamshire to increase the number of young people receiving 2 hours High Quality PE & School Sport, the Prime Minister recently announced further investment into the National School Sport Strategy in order to give every child and young person aged between 5 and 19 the chance to do 5 hours of sport a week. The offer will be made up of 2 hours high quality curriculum physical education and 3 hours of sport beyond the curriculum delivered through a range of school, community and club providers. The assumption is that as children grow they will increasingly be diverted towards club and/or community provision, in order to build a commitment to lifelong participation.
‘Extending activities’ is one of 5 funding streams that are being developed to meet the new targets and aims to:
• Bring together school & community sport.
• Engage the 50% of children and young people classed as ‘semi sporty’ types to achieve the 5 hour offer.
• Identify pinch points/priorities at KS2/3 transition and 14 to 19 age range.
• Increase young people directed to clubs, reducing post 16 drop off.
• Develop traditional clubs to attract a wider range of young people.
• Develop new types of ‘clubs’.
• Improve signposting & access (via foot) to venues.
• Run introductory sessions for alternative activities.
To achieve this target and ensure Extended Activities in Bucks are effective we will need to work with a wide range of partners to pool resources and produce a comprehensive plan that links into existing provision, including the Children’s Plan, Extended Services, the Youth Offer and Positive Activities, and ideally establish a link with the Local Area Agreements. A project budget or around £500,000 is available for this project over 3 years in Bucks.
We propose to use the Sport and Physical Activity Networks (SPAN) as the key planning and delivery mechanism, and plans would form part of the wider SPAN plans which are currently being developed. Many of the partners required are already involved in the SPANs but others may need to be engaged. It is also essential that School Sport Partnership plans are integrated in the process.
If you would like any further information please contact Stacey Gunther (sgunther[at]buckssport.org or 01296 585069).
