has today pledged to give
every girl the chance to play and be active in school, as new
analysis shows an increasing lack of PE provision and a number of
significant barriers to female participation in sports.
On a visit to a local secondary school, and Lioness Fara Williams
joined students in the FA’s ‘Let Girls Play’ initiative which
will see thousands of girls take part in football games across
the country on International Women’s Day.
Under the Tories, the number of taught PE hours in secondary
school has fallen by 40,000 (12%) since 2011. In the same time
period, the number of PE teachers has also dropped by 2,000
(7%).
Labour has warned that these figures risk compounding problems in
the proportion of children and young people taking part in
physical activities. Sport England estimates that less than half
of all children and young people (47%) in England are currently
meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines which advise at
least 60 minutes of sport and physical activity every day.
For girls in particular, there is evidence of a number of
barriers to participation in physical activity and sports at
school. For example, a recent survey conducted by the Youth Trust
found that:
-
2-in-3 (64%) of all girls wanted to be more active at
school.
-
38% of secondary school girls said their biggest
barrier to being active at school was having their period, with
33% citing a lack of confidence as their primary obstacle.
-
Just 64% of girls at school enjoyed taking part in
PE, compared to 85% of boys.
-
56% of girls at school said that they wanted
additional flexibility in their choice of PE
kit.
On Tuesday, a report by the Women and Equalities Committee
slammed the ‘gender play gap’ and urged sport to ‘do better’ over
kit for women and girls. The intervention comes amidst a
disproportionate rise in ACL injuries in professional women’s
football, something that has been blamed on a lack of research
and the low number of football boots designed specifically to
meet the needs of girls and women.
Today, echoed the report’s calls for
better kit provision, and pledged to give every girl the chance
to be active at school. As part of Labour’s mission to break down
the barriers to opportunity, the party has committed to broaden
the curriculum through a Curriculum and Assessment Review, making
PE an assessed subject so schools are motivated to provide it,
and recruit 6,500 expert teachers to boost access across the
country.
And by bringing together business, charities and the public,
Labour will deliver the change needed to support young girls who
are having their opportunities narrowed, and build lasting
confidence for them to achieve their potential, in sport and
beyond.
, leader of the Labour Party,
said:
“Sport has always been at the heart of our nation’s identity. It
entertains us, keeps us healthy, cements friendships, unites
communities, but for young people, it provides so much more.
Playing sport builds confidence, alongside vital skills like team
working, the value of eye contact, and an appetite for health and
the outdoors. These skills are the bedrock of success at school,
at home, and in work.
“The FA’s Let Girls Play initiative is fantastic and has my full
support. My daughter has been inspired by the success of our
Lionesses in recent years, and I’ve seen how the confidence and
excitement that sport brings can shape a young woman’s life.
“Closing the gender play gap through equal access is vital to
build on that. It means breaking down the barriers to opportunity
for young girls and turning the page on years of decline in PE
provision.
“Labour’s pledge to broaden the curriculum, make PE an assessed
subject, and recruit 6,500 expert teachers to boost access, will
ensure young girls are not held back but can thrive in sport and
beyond.
“We should make sure we don’t just celebrate the Lionesses
success, but make their legacy a turn of the page in women and
girls’ access to, and enjoyment of sport.”
ENDS
Notes
- Pictures will shortly be available on Flickr
"Since 2011, the number of taught secondary school PE
hours has plummeted by 28,000. In the same period, the number of
PE teachers has also fallen"
"Sport England estimates less than half of all children
and young people in England meeting the Chief Medical Officer's
guidelines [...]
"A recent survey conducted by the Youth Trust found that
[...]"
"On Tuesday, a report by the Women and Equalities
Committee slammed the 'gender play gap' [....]"
