Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to celebrate excellence among PE teachers; and if he will make a statement. [124681]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 5 June 2000]The Sports Strategy, which was published in April this year, explicitly recognises the contribution of inspirational PE teachers in enabling young people to develop physical skills, in promoting personal and social development and in laying foundations for sport and healthy exercise to become a lifelong habit. The Sport England awards, Sportsmark and Activemark, recognise good practice nationally in primary and secondary schools and celebrate the teachers responsible for attaining these very high standards, and I attended the recent Sportsmark national presentation. We have also introduced Advanced Skills Teachers, a grade which offers experienced, excellent 691W classroom teachers, including specialists in physical education, an enhanced pay scale, encouraging them to stay as front-line teachers rather than moving into management. We have also introduced this year new arrangements which give all good qualified teachers the opportunity to cross the threshold onto a new upper pay range.