However, the BESA research found that this is far from being achieved. Compared to similar research carried out in 2007 nearly 60 per cent of primary schools and 57 per cent of secondary schools state that it is not realistic, an increase from an average of 44 per cent in 2007.
Those that do feel it is possible to achieve more than three hours per week, are managing this by making use of after-school clubs, cross curricula activities, lunch and break-time activities and through affiliation with local sports clubs.
What was most notable about these findings was the fact that far too few schools were considering alternative opportunities as a means to achieving the government target, compared with 2007. However, in light of the government’s recent withdrawal of Out of School House Learning (OSHL) and the dissolution of the School Sports Partnerships, it is not surprising that schools are not currently considering this option and in turn are finding the PESSYP target increasingly unrealistic.
In terms of funding a third of primary schools do not currently make use of funding from their general resources budget. In these cases, funding is most likely to come from the PTA (in 56 per cent of cases). In addition, 17 per cent of primary schools also make use of the capital funding – down from 22 per cent in 2007.
One heartening fact was that 93 per cent of primary schools and 89 per cent of secondary schools stated that the 2012 Olympics is causing some or an extensive increase in activity.
British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7537 4997
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7537 4846
Web: www.besa.org.uk
