§ 29. Mr. Hodgsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy on physical education in schools.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIt is for local education authorities and the schools themselves to formulate their policies for the teaching of individual subjects. My Department encourages the provision of appropriate physical education in a variety of ways, including the laying down of basic area standards for playing fields and issuing advice on the design of accommodation for physical education. It is also concerned to ensure that there is an adequate supply of specialist physical education teachers and that the subject is adequately covered in the training of non-specialist teachers for the younger age groups. In addition, Her Majesty's Inspectorate runs in-service courses and has published advice on various aspects of physical education.