Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2003. It was answered by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 10th November 2003, 413 c64W on school sport, what assessment has been made of the percentage of school children who (a) were offered and (b) took up two hours per week of high quality physical education and school sport in the last year for which figures are available. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2003, Official Report, column 64W, on school sport, what assessment has been made of the percentage of school children who (a) were offered and (b) took up two hours per week of high quality physical education and school sport in the last year for which figures are available. [139031] Mr. Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply. The Government is investing more than £1 billion in England to transform physical education, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared by the Departments for Education and Skills and for Culture, Media and Sport, to increase the percentage of 5 to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006. Data collected during the autumn term 2002 suggested that about a third of schools provided this entitlement at Key Stage 1, two fifths at Key Stage 2 and a third at Key Stages 3 and 4. Data are now being collected for the first time--for publication in April 2004--on the number of pupils who choose to take up this entitlement.

Secondary information