HC Deb 12 June 2000 vol 351 cc498-9W
25. Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about sport in schools in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [123694]

Kate Hoey

I have received one letter recently from a school in Rotherha[...] about the provision of a sports hall under the Private Finance Initiative. This is a matter primarily for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, whom I am consulting. I am also aware of the series of articles which have appeared in the Yorkshire Post recently about sport and PE in schools in Yorkshire. Our sports strategy—A Sporting Chance for All—recognised that in too many of our schools sport and PE have declined, and the need to find a new approach which will support teachers, parents and young people. That is why the strategy set out a five part plan aimed at raising standards of physical education and sport in all schools to match those of the best. The plan proposes:

  1. (i) the rebuilding of sports facilities at primary schools with £150 million of funding;
  2. (ii) the creation of 110 Specialist Sports Colleges to provide the lead in innovative practice and to work with partner secondary and primary schools to share good practice and raise standards;
  3. (iii) the provision of £240 million to encourage and support schools in a range of out of school learning opportunities including physical education and sport;
  4. (iv) the establishment of 600 school sports co-ordinators in areas of greatest need which will provide opportunities for young people to compete regularly for their school and take part in a wide range of sports; and
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  5. v) that our most talented 14 to 18-year-olds have access to the coaching and support which will enable them to fulfil their potential.

Mr. Goggins

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the introduction of school sports co-ordinators. [123673]

Kate Hoey

As part of the aims of raising the standards of Physical Education and sport in schools, 600 School Sports Co-ordinators will be appointed by 2002. They will work in 150 'families' of schools. This means that 600 secondary schools and the 110 sports colleges will be linked to 3,000 primary schools. We aim to have the first tranche of 40 school sports co-ordinators in place by the autumn term 2000.