Physical Education

HC Deb 02 July 1998 vol 315 cc264-5W

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current statutory curriculum requirement to provide physical education to 5 to 11 year olds in maintained schools; and what it will be from September. [46103]

Ms Estelle Morris

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: All schools must teach physical education as part of their broad and balanced curriculum.

For two years from September 1998 primary schools must continue to teach physical education, but will no longer have to teach the full programme of study. Swimming must remain part of all primary schools' physical education curriculum.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools failed to meet the curriculum requirements for physical activity in(a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England for the last three years. [46862]

Ms Estelle Morris

[holding answer 24 June 1998]: The evidence from Ofsted inspections of non-compliance of schools with the National Curriculum for physical education is as follows.

	Number of schools
(a) Coventry
Primary schools 1996–97	0
Primary schools summer term 1995–96	1
Secondary schools 1996–97	0
Secondary schools summer term 1995–96	0
(b) West Midlands
Primary schools 1996–97	9
Primary schools summer term 1995–96	6
Secondary schools 1996–97	4
Secondary schools summer term 1995–96	3
(c) England
Primary schools 1996–97	255
Primary schools summer term 1995–96	76
Secondary schools 1996–97	82
Secondary schools summer term 1995–96	28

Changes in the Framework for Inspection mean that no information is available prior to the summer term of the 1995–96 school year.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how schools are monitored to ensure that they meet the minimum curriculum requirements for physical activity. [46861]

Ms Estelle Morris

[holding answer 24 June 1998]: Physical Education will remain compulsory for all schools.

Ofsted inspections report on individual schools' compliance with the National Curriculum, which includes physical education. At a national level, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools reports to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.