Last updated 11:10, Saturday, 22 November 2008

The results of the National School Sport Survey for 2007/08 have recently been released, showing that Cumbrian school children have smashed the target for pupils’ participation in two hours of high-quality PE each week.

The survey also measures the number of sports offered in schools and the number of children taking part in competitive sports.

The figure for pupils participating in two hours of high quality PE for Cumbria is 90 per cent, compared with the national target of 85 per cent for 2008.

School sport has changed dramatically in recent years, with the introduction of many new initiatives to get our youth more active. Each school in Cumbria is now attached to a School Sport Partnership, which are families of schools which receive extra funding to enhance and increase sporting opportunities.

Vanessa Foster, development manager (PE and School Sport) at Cumbria Sport Partnership, said: “It’s great news for Cumbria and a credit to our School Sport Partnerships that so many young people are getting the opportunity to participate in two hours per week of physical education.

“With schools offering a wider range of extra curricular sports than ever before, from football and dance to skiing and golf, PE and school sport has never had such a high profile, with schools recognising the importance of pupils being active.”

In 2007, the Government announced an additional £100m campaign to give every child the opportunity to participate in five hours of sport every week.

Named ‘The Five Hour Offer’, this campaign aims for every pupil to have the chance to do five hours PE and sport a week by 2011 – at least two hours in school and three hours out of school.

Following this, Sports Unlimited was developed to give children the opportunity to try out new sports in 10-week taster sessions, giving them even more opportunity to get active.

Cumbria was used as a trailblazer for Sports Unlimited and after its enormous success the campaign has been rolled out nationally.

For more information, contact Vanessa Foster, development manager (PE and Schools Sport) for Cumbria Sport Partnership, on 01228 226799 or email vanessa.foster@cumbriacc.gov.uk.