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The Report of the Review Group on Physical Educatio
Chairman's Foreword
The Physical Education Review Group was set up as a direct result of the recommendations of the Physical Activity Task Force, which identified significant problems within the PE curriculum, which were leading to a growing number of pupils opting out of core PE and a growing number of schools reducing the allocation to PE especially in the upper secondary school. The Group was originally jointly chaired by myself and Nicol Stephen MSP, the then Depute Minister for Education. Following the 2003 elections, I became the sole chair reporting to the Minister.
The Review Group contained a range of enthusiastic, committed and knowledgeable individuals from a variety of organisations and backgrounds with a common bond - a deep belief in the importance of PE in schools as a core activity linked to healthy lifestyles, lifelong learning, improved health, an inclusive society and yes, success in sport at a national level would be very nice!
The Group met many times, took evidence from a wide variety of sources, visited schools and spent many hours in robust discussion of what is a very complex area. There is much good practice across Scotland but also major issues related to the alarming decline in participation rates in secondary schools, especially among girls, the need to provide better PE facilities, the support required by primary schools to deliver a quality programme and the national shortage of PE teachers.
The Group recognised that PE in schools was inextricably linked to other national initiatives and issues such as the health agenda, Sportscotland targets, a number of the National Priorities and the whole area of Out of School Hours Learning; however, whilst recognising that these areas impinge on PE they were separate and not part of our remit hence our focus on the school PE experience.
While diverse views were expressed in the course of our work I am pleased to record that ultimately the final Report was approved by the Group.
The recommendations are significant and far-reaching. We believe that they can make a major contribution to improving participation rates and changing lifestyles, but only if we can provide opportunities and activities which young people find appropriate and attractive.
Michael O'Neill
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