Budget 2020

The announcement of future funding for schools in the 2020 Budget is very positive for PE and School Sport. The full report can be found on the GOV.uk website, here. In section 1.36, it states:

To ensure that children get an active start in life, the government will bring forward an updated School Sport and Activity Action Plan following the Comprehensive Spending Review. Ahead of that, the Budget provides £29 million a year by 2023-24 to support primary school PE teaching and help schools make best use of their sports facilities. The funding will support high quality teacher training and professional development for PE, informed by best practice PE teaching.

In addition, the Government will also provide £90 million per year towards an Arts Premium from September 2021. The aim of the Premium is to help secondary schools provide high quality arts programmes and extracurricular activities for pupils. We hope that this announcement will be well received by secondary colleagues.

Sue Wilkinson MBE, CEO for the Association of Physical Education (afPE) has said:

"We are delighted to see that the Government is investing in primary teachers' professional learning and continuing with the plans for the School Sport and Activity Action Plan. However, we understand that that the position for the Primary PE and Sport Premium for 2021-22 and beyond will be something to be confirmed as part of the Spending Review in July."

Headteacher Alliance for PE, Sport and Physical Activity

The Headteacher Alliance (HTA) aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of all children and young people in BCP and Dorset through the power of PE, Physical Activity and Sport. The purpose of the alliance is to bring together representatives from different organisations who share the same vision.

If you are a Headteacher and would like to be involved in the Dorset Headteacher Alliance, please check the map above for gaps in representation and contact ahargreaves@activedorset.org to register your interest.

As you can see from the clip below, Public Health Dorset has been working with the HTA to design and develop the Whole School Approach Project. This project builds on strong evidence for physical activity improving attainment, achievement, and emotional wellbeing.

Headteacher Alliance Newsletter - Latest Edition

If you would like to keep on top of the PE, school sport and physical activity headlines in Dorset, please sign up to receive our termly Headteacher Alliance Newsletter. It will only take a few moments of your time to register. If you click here and select 'Dashboard', then 'Account' and finally 'Email & Sharing' you will be able to select the newsletter of your choice. The latest edition is available below.

Cross-Government School Sport and Activity Action Plan

In July 2019, the Government published a cross-government School Sport and Activity Action Plan. Its purpose is to provide pupils with greater opportunity to access 60 minutes of sport and physical activity every day. The plan outlines a range of new measures to strengthen the role of sport within a young person's daily routine. It also explains how teachers and parents can play their part, promoting a joined-up approach to physical activity and mental wellbeing.

This will be of interest to schools, teachers, parents and the sport sector as it is informed by both the Active Lives: Children and Young People Survey findings and the new Education Inspection Framework.

Primary PE and School Sport Premium

The recent mapping of the 2018-19 uses of the Primary PE and School Sport (PESS) premium in Dorset, is very positive. It reveals that 83% of schools have reported on both attainment in PE, and on participation in additional activities and clubs. 77% schools have reported on their sustainability plans for the future, with many schools investing in daily physical activity for all pupils.

We have also seen a positive rise in the numbers of schools publishing their swimming data online (from 33% to 76%), but only 56% reported on the ability for pupils to safe self-rescue. Looking ahead, Active Dorset aims to help Swim England promote the Swim Safe programme in the county.

New Year CPD Opportunity

A series of Primary PE Coordinator Twilights are scheduled to run in the week beginning Monday 27th January, to update colleagues on the Primary PE and School Sport Premium, the Active Lives Survey, Healthy Schools Awards and SEND Swimming opportunities in 2020. Full details are listed in the January 2020 - Primary PE Coordinator Twilights document below.

Active Lives Survey: Children and Young People in Dorset

National Headlines - Sport England released its Year 2 data set for the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey on the 5th December 2019. The results reveal that 46.8% of our children and young people in England are active for 60+ minutes of physical activity a day.

That means that almost half of the nation's children and young people (CYP) are meeting the recommended level, with an increase in more activity outside of school. This rise in activity is reflective of greater engagement in e.g. active play, team sports and walking. To access the full report, please click here.

Local Headlines - Sport England's school selection for Dorset and BCP are known - please click here to see if your school has been selected to participate this year. All schools receive a bespoke report and a Healthy School Rating - to view a report example please click here and scroll down to Step 4. If you have not been selected but wish to 'opt in' please contact Annie Hargreaves via ahargreaves@activedorset.org - please click here to find out why it is of benefit for your school to participate.

Healthy Schools Rating Scheme

The healthy schools rating scheme is a self-assessment tool designed by the DfE to help schools improve the health and wellbeing of their pupils. This has been added to the Active Lives Survey, in the teacher questionnaire. For full information, please click here.

Key Documents and Web Links

PHE Activity and Health Resources for Schools