HC Deb 10 May 2004 vol 421 cc44-6W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of change. since 1997 in the level of investment in school sports in Oldham, West and Royton; [170906]

(2) how much money has been invested in school sports in Oldham. West and Royton since 1997. [170907]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The information is not held in the format requested. Within the context of the statutory National Curriculum, where Physical Education (PE) is compulsory for pupils aged 5 to 16, it is for individual schools to use their budgets as they judge appropriate.

The Government are investing more than £1 billion in England to transform PE, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 10 increase the percentage of 5 to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.

The Department is providing just over £316,000 to support the delivery of a School Sport Partnership in the Oldham LEA area. The partnership includes five secondary and 25 primary schools and provides enhanced sports opportunities for all young people to ensure that their pupils spend a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and School Sport. A key objective for all School Sport Partnerships is to ensure that the improvements and enhanced opportunities that they deliver are sustainable and embedded within schools to ensure a lasting legacy. The New Opportunities Fund has provided schools in the Oldham LEA area with over £3.3 million specifically to enhance PE and school sport facilities.

Mr. Benton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in school sports in Bootle. [171483]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The information is not held in the format requested. Within the context of the statutory National Curriculum, where physical education (PE) is compulsory for pupils aged five to 16, it is for individual schools to use their budgets as they judge appropriate.

The Government are investing more than £1 billion in England to transform PE, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to increase the percentage of five to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.

The Department is providing £273,121 to support the delivery of a School Sport Partnership in the Sefton area. The partnership includes six secondary and 19 primary schools and provides enhanced sports opportunities for all young people to ensure that their pupils spend a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and school sport. A key objective for all School Sport Partnerships is to ensure that the improvements and enhanced opportunities that they deliver are sustainable and embedded within schools to ensure a lasting legacy. The New Opportunities Fund has provided schools in the Sefton LEA area with over £3,331,000 specifically to enhance PE and school sport facilities.