2006/2007 School Sport Survey

The 2006/07 School Sport Survey found that 86 per cent of pupils now participate in at least two hours of PE and school sport per week, meaning that the Government has met its target – for 85 per cent to do two hours of PE and school sport per week by 2008 – a year ahead of schedule.

Other key findings from the report, based on a survey of more than 21,700 maintained schools, show:

• Competitive sport is on the increase – 98 per cent of schools reported that they held at least one sports day during 2006/07, while a further 58 per cent of schools hold other intra-school competitions. Meanwhile, more than a third (35 per cent) of pupils were involved in inter-school competitions last year. Participation rates in inter-school competition vary by age, reaching a peak of 61 per cent among 10 to 11 year olds. All comparable figures show rises in the proportion playing competitive sport.
• The variety of sports offered at schools is rising – the average range of sports offered by primary school has increased to 16.0.
• Many schools are embracing non-traditional sports – the proportion of schools offering golf (up from 23 per cent to 31 per cent), cycling (up from 34 per cent to 42 per cent), archery (up from 16 per cent to 22 per cent), canoeing (up from 24 per cent to 29 per cent) and orienteering (up from 55 per cent to 59 per cent) have risen significantly over the last twelve months.
• Familiar sports remain pre-eminent in schools – the five most popular sports offered by schools are football (98 per cent), dance (96 per cent), gymnastics (95 per cent), athletics (93 per cent) and cricket (90 per cent).
• Schools are building more links with local clubs – schools now have links to seven different sports clubs. Two years ago, the average was just five. The most common links are with football clubs (78 per cent), cricket (56 per cent), dance (45 per cent), rugby union (44 per cent) and swimming (42 per cent).
• Schools are getting better at identifying sporting excellence - the proportion of pupils registered gifted and talented has more than doubled in four years – from 3 per cent in 2003/04 to 7 per cent this year.

Well done to us all! :)