WIREDGOV

Children at 55 per cent of primary schools are benefitting from at least two hours of PE a week, according to figures released today.

This compares to only five per cent in the in 2004-05 academic year.

Three authorities - Dundee, East Renfrewshire and Perth and Kinross - are delivering two hours of PE in all their primary schools.

In addition, HMIE reported that 60 per cent of secondary schools inspected in 2009/10 are delivering at least two periods of physical education across S1 to S4.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said:

"I am delighted to see our local authorities and schools making so much progress towards ensuring Scotland's schoolchildren can benefit from two hours of PE each week.

"Little progress had been made towards the target when this information was last collected in 2005, so to see 55 per cent of primary schools delivering two hours is a huge improvement.

"Secondary schools are also moving in the right direction with 60 per cent of secondaries now offering two full periods of PE.

"This target is embedded within Curriculum for Excellence which all councils are committed to delivering. I am confident we will see further progress towards full delivery of two hours of PE, which can only be of benefit to our young people."

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison added:

"I am particularly impressed by how far our primary schools have come in getting younger children active and the vast majority of schools have either reached the target or are well on track to do so.

"A further nine authorities plan to deliver for all primaries in the next three years. With eleven expecting to do the same for all S1-S4 classes by 2013 we are confident that the full target will be met by 2014 and that all children and young people have the opportunity and motivation to adopt active, healthy lifestyles, now and into adulthood.

"The Scottish Government is determined to see the health of our nation improve and ensuring our young people reap the rewards of physical activity is a fundamental part of making that happen."

Information published today shows:

• 1,167 Primary Schools throughout Scotland (55 per cent) are delivering at least two hours physical education compared to five per cent in the 2004/05 academic year. This is supported by HMIE who found 59 per cent of 264 primary schools inspected in 2009/10 were delivering two hours
• HMIE has reported year on year improvement in delivery of two hours physical education in primary schools: 2007/08 - 32 per cent of 237 schools inspected, 2008/09 - 42 per cent of 231 schools inspected and 2009/10 59 per cent of 264 schools inspected
• Three authorities (Dundee, East Renfrewshire, Perth and Kinross) are delivering two hours physical education across P1 to P7 in all schools
• Seventeen authorities reported delivering two hours physical education across P1 to P7 in more than 50 per cent of their schools; for example, Orkney, West Dunbartonshire and Dumfries and Galloway reported delivery 90 per cent, 85 per cent and 77 per cent respectively
• Eleven authorities reported that all of their primary schools currently deliver between 90 and 110 minutes of physical education
• Eighty-five secondary schools throughout Scotland (23 per cent) are delivering at least two hours physical education across S1 to S4
• HMIE reported that 60 per cent of 60 secondary schools inspected in 2009/10 are delivering at least two 50 or 55 minute periods of physical education across S1 to S4
• Nine authorities reported that all (with the exception of two authorities who reported 'all but one') of their secondary schools currently deliver a double period (100-110 minutes) of physical education to S1-S4 pupils

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