The Scottish Government recognises the need to give clear messages about positive health and wellbeing to children at an early stage in their lives. The government is strongly committed to children and young people throughout Scotland developing the habit of physical fitness, as it is vital not only for the children of the present, but also for the future health of our nation.
Taking part in physical activity and sport improves people's health, builds confidence, develops new skills, brings individuals and communities together and, above all, is fun.
Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum for Excellence is currently being introduced into all of our schools and will embed at least 2 hours quality PE in the curriculum for every child every week in addition to physical activity and sport.
On November 29, 2010 the Scottish Government announced progress towards delivery of 2 hours PE. For further information see the HMIE findings and Directors of Education summary below.
Experiences and outcomes
The experiences and outcomes offer the freedom for schools and authorities to provide opportunities for young people to participate in a wide range of physical activity. This includes good quality physical education programmes and sport in ways which meet local needs and circumstances.
It is expected that physical activity and sport should take place in addition to planned physical education sessions. It is however for schools to determine, preferably in consultation with pupils, what to provide for young people in terms of physical activity and sport in ways which meet local needs and circumstances. The Scottish Government believes it is important that this flexibility is maintained and it is also vital that young people can build on school based sporting opportunities within their wider community.
This will help contribute towards work on health inequalities, obesity and Active Nation.
Active Schools can play a key part in this is up and running in all 32 Local Authorities and fully operational in over 2,500 schools throughout Scotland. Every school aged child has access to an Active Schools co-ordinator who supports the delivery of extra curriculum sport and physical activity.