Sports in schools is to be given a 'huge boost' to 'level the playing field' for boys and girls. The new standard for PE will see both girls and boys offered the same sports in hope of inspiring the 'next generation of Lionesses'.
A minimum of two hours of quality Physical Education (PE) per week is to be offered through the refreshed School Sport Action Plan, along with a multi-million investment in school sport and after school activities.
The Government will be setting out the new standards on International Women’s Day in order to offer girls and boys the chance to be involved with the same sports during PE and extracurricular time in schools across the country.
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It is hoped the new package will help to boost equal opportunities in school sport both inside and outside the classroom, delivering on promises made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to the Women’s Euro 22 winners the Lionesses.
The news follows on from the success of the Football Association’s (FA) #LetGirlsPlay campaign which is working to change perceptions and make sure girls get the chance to play football within the school curriculum. The campaign was launched by the Lionesses squad and the FA after the England Women’s team’s success at the Euro 22 tournament last year.
Following the announcement, Leah Williamson, the England Women's captain said the success of the summer has 'inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football'.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Funding PE in schools can help inspire the next generation to build on the international sporting successes of the Lionesses at the Euros, the Red Roses and the England Women’s Cricket Team.
“This International Women’s Day, we’re supporting schools to improve the quality of their PE provision including equal access to sports. This will help to level up opportunities for girls across the country so they can play sports such as football and cricket, alongside after school activities targeted at girls and other disadvantaged children.
“We want young people to develop healthy habits whilst having fun at the same time, regardless of gender or background.”
Schools that successfully deliver equal opportunities for girls and boys will be rewarded through the School Games Mark, which will assess parity of provision in PE and extracurricular sport. Schools are also being asked to offer a minimum of two hours curriculum PE time and Government will provide support to schools on how to do this through the upcoming refresh of the School Sport Action Plan.
Watchdog Ofsted will be publishing a report into PE in the coming months, which will inform future inspections and set out what they believe is possible in terms of offering high quality PE and equal access to sports, backed by a package of cross-government funding to help boost sport and activities both inside and outside school hours.
This includes the confirmation of over £600 million in funding over the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium and £22 million for the School Games Organisers (SGO) network.
Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said: “As someone who grew up in Liverpool, a city dominated by its love for football, I know first-hand the power of sport in bringing people together – whether on or off the pitch.
“Every child – girl or boy - should have access to high quality sport and activities. Not only are these opportunities great for both physical and mental health - but also for all those other skills young people will need throughout their life like teamwork and communication.
“Today, on International Women's Day, we are breaking down the barriers some children face to access sport and building on the Lionesses' legacy to ensure girls have the same access to all their favourite sports as boys."
England women’s captain, Leah Williamson, added: “The success of the summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football. We see it as our responsibility to open the doors for them to do so and this announcement makes that possible.
“This is the legacy that we want to live much longer than us as a team. On behalf of all the Lionesses players, we'd like to thank our teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy as a driving force behind this transformational change. We couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside her and we all look forward to seeing the impact this legacy creates.”
The full package includes an equal access to sports in schools for all genders, a requirement for schools to deliver a minimum of two hours of curriculum PE and a new digital tool for PE and Sport Premium – to support schools in using the funding to the best advantage of their pupils.
There will be a funding commitment of over £600 million across the next two years for the PE and Sport Premium, £22 million for two years of further funding for the School Games Organiser network (SGO) and up to £57 million for the open sports facilities programme, to open up more school sport facilities outside of school hours especially targeted at girls, disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs.
The work will be led by Active Partnerships who are leading a consortium, which includes Youth Sport Trust, ukactive and StreetGames, and will benefit up to 1,350 schools across the country.
The Government is also providing security for the School Games Organisers (SGO) network, with the commitment of funding until the end of the summer term 2025.
The FA’s Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, added: “The magic of last summer’s Euros victory can now live on with a legacy that has the ability to change the future of women’s football and positively impact society.
“Equal access for girls is one of The FA’s strategic ambitions and for such progress to be made is a very proud day. We’re all extremely grateful to the players for using their voice to deliver change and would like to place on record our thanks to Government for the positive measures announced today.”
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