Time for School Sport 2.0?

Rachel Williams Policy Manager Women in Sport

We all know the power of PE to be the first building block in a lifelong love of sport. For many children, it’s the first experience they have of experiencing the joy of physical activity. But that’s not the case for everyone; because whilst school sport can inspire love for some, for others it can do the opposite. And at the moment, too many girls are falling into the latter category. Yet school sport is also disproportionately important for girls. Over a third of girls only play sport in school, a far higher proportion than boys. Teenage girls are facing a mental health crisis that sport could be helping to ease.

The good news is change is in the air. The UK Government has announced an overhaul of PE and school sport in England. Sitting alongside the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will aim to ensure all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, including sport, a proposed new approach will include new School Sports Partnerships and an Enrichment Framework to ensure everyone has access to high quality sport. It has a particular focus on girls, as does the Curriculum Review.

Women in Sport welcomes this potential for major change, with its unapologetic focus on supporting girls to find their love of sport. It is, frankly, about time.

So what comes next? How can we make PE and school sport works better for girls? Whilst details on the new initiatives are scarce, there are some big principles that we believe should be at the heart of PE and school sport 2.0.

Over a third of girls only play sport in school – a far higher proportion than boys

● More training and support for teachers Teachers simply don’t get enough training in PE. All teachers who are involved in school sport should be specifically trained to recognise how stereotypes and biology interact in the PE setting and how to plan lessons that support girls and boys. ● Better teaching about female puberty Nearly three quarters (71%) of girls (even sporty girls) avoid sport when on their period. We want to see compulsory, well-structured teaching about puberty across the curriculum, including in PE. ● Single-sex opportunities Early gender stereotyping means girls start school less skilled in key movement skills. Whilst mixed sex sport is important for building respect between boys and girls, it’s also vital that girls have some space and time of their own. ● Uniforms matter Schools should introduce active uniform policies to remove barriers to movement. For girls, dresses, skirts and shoes can hinder running and free play whilst some parts of PE kit can make them feel uncomfortable. We have what could prove to be a generational opportunity to transform school sport for girls. Women in Sport are determined to make sure we take it.