§ Dame Jill KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on progress on the Government's sportsmark and sportsmark gold award scheme. [10961]
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§ Mr. SproatThe sportsmark and sportsmark gold award scheme was launched in secondary schools in October 1996. The scheme recognises schools which provide a quality physical education and sports programme. It is a key element of the Government's strategy, as set out in the sports policy statement, "Sport: Raising the Game", to put sport back at the heart of weekly life in all schools. The sportsmark gold award recognises those schools which show exceptional achievement, highly innovative schemes or outstanding progress in meeting their sporting aims.
The closing date for applications for the sportsmark and sportsmark gold awards was 13 December 1996 and 604 applications have been received by the English Sports Council. Of that number, 471 are for the sportsmark award and 133 for the sportsmark gold award. The assessment of these applications is now underway, and the first awards will be announced in April.
Primary schools are currently being consulted on a similar scheme which we aim to launch in October with the first awards being made in April 1998.