Make PE a core subject from KS1-KS5 with a minimum of 2hrs allocated weekly

PE should be a mandatory core part of the curriculum in all schools not just a recommendation. Exercise is associated with both physical and mental well-being. Given the increase in childhood obesity & type two diabetes, 38% of secondary schools have still cut their PE time in the last five years.

Research has found that just 8% of girls and 16% of boys aged 11-18 currently meet the recommend daily activity. Respectively 44% & 36% of girls and boys aged 13-15 are also either overweight or obese, while insufficient physical activity ultimately costs the NHS around £1 billion a year.

Youth Sport Trust and Women in Sport Girls Active survey reported that 38% of secondary schools have cut PE time since 2014 for children aged between 14-16 amid the pressure of exams and core subjects.

PE has been a part of the National Curriculum since 1988. Since September 2014, PE has been the only foundation subject which is statutory at all four key stages of education. The PE national curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods of time and lead healthy and active lives.

The Government agrees that it is important for all schools to offer PE and sporting activities to their pupils throughout their time at school. PE and sport can make an important long-term contribution to health and building character. We have set an ambition under our Childhood Obesity Plan that primary pupils should be given the opportunity to do 30 minutes of the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day while at school. PE and sport receives significant specific funding with £320m a year provided to primary schools through the PE and Sport Premium.

We have no plans to change the PE curriculum requirement but are taking a number of steps to support schools to provide PE and wider opportunities for pupils to be active. We are introducing a new basic curriculum requirement for all schools to teach health education across all four compulsory key stages from September 2020. There will be opportunities to link thins new requirement to the provision of PE and activities.

The Education Act 2002 prohibits the Secretary of State for Education from prescribing the amount of time to be spent on any curriculum subject, including PE. The National Foundation for Educational Research Teacher Voice Omnibus Survey, January 2017 shows that PE is the subject with the third highest amount of teaching time in primary schools. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/584503/Teacher_Voice_Summer_2016_Report_Final.pdf