§ 27. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his plans are for increasing the number of sports taught at or by schools. [119900]
§ Kate HoeyThe National Curriculum requires schools to offer the opportunity to participate in games, athletics, dance, gymnastics, outdoor and adventure activity and swimming. Within these broad areas it is for schools to determine which sports to pursue. The Government would encourage schools to offer as broad a range of sporting activity as possible, but recognise that this can sometimes be difficult. That is why we are working with Sport England and the Youth Sports Trust on a scheme to establish up to 600 schools sport co-ordinators, who will work in families of schools to encourage better links and sharing of facilities. This will mean that pupils will benefit from a wider range of activities than if their school were operating in isolation.