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Chris Bloore agreed with Leigh Ingham, emphasising the link between mental health and exercise. He cited statistics showing that one in five young people report having a mental health disorder or crisis and stressed the importance of creating and supporting a robust PE curriculum to help manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
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Lisa Smart supported Leigh Ingham's stance on supporting young girls in playing team sports. She shared an example from her constituency where two sisters play football for the Stockport County under-8s and under-9s teams, demonstrating the importance of getting young girls into the habit of playing sport.
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Max Wilkinson mentioned his recent experience playing wheelchair basketball and agreed that it provides a level playing field for both mainstream and SEND children to participate together, despite its challenges.
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Girls' participation in PE needs improvement; only 32% of girls aged five to 15 achieve the recommended daily physical activity compared to 41% of boys. Children with special educational needs and disabilities are more likely to be inactive, leading to increased school absences and mental health challenges. Schools lack adaptive equipment and teacher training for inclusive sport. Special Olympics Great Britain highlights a key barrier: lack of mainstream sports clubs offering inclusive programmes.
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Three in four disabled children do not take part in PE regularly, impacting their social bonds and well-being. Crystal Palace's National Sports Centre is undergoing a multimillion-pound refurbishment to make it accessible for wheelchair users and other disabled athletes. This will be one of the best facilities for disabled sport in London.
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Supports the importance of sport and physical education in schools for childhood obesity prevention, mental health improvement, and future economic growth. Mentions the critical role played by organisations like Vale Royal School Sport Partnership and Active Cheshire.
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Acknowledges the positive impact of PE on young people's confidence, mental health, and resilience. Highlights examples from schools in his constituency and calls for a focus on children’s mental and physical wellbeing in the curriculum review.
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Shares personal experience of restrictive sports provision in school and argues that providing diverse opportunities is crucial to ensure every student can find something they enjoy or excel at.
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Children from poorer backgrounds are less confident about physical activity. Only 51% of children aged 11-16 in D and E socioeconomic groups rate themselves as confident, compared to 75% for higher socioeconomic groups. Initiatives like the FA's largest ever girls' football session show the importance of inclusivity. PE can benefit mental health by providing a sense of community and reducing isolation.
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Sport teaches teamwork, resilience, and discipline. Schools should value PE teachers more as they play a pivotal role in promoting physical activity and mental health. There is a decline in PE hours and widening gap between state and private schools. Initiatives like Broadoak academy's introduction of girls' football teams show positive structural changes.
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PE lessons are important breaks from academic subjects, providing opportunities for physical activity and skill development. Subjects such as music, art, drama, and PE contribute to a well-rounded education by fostering soft skills like teamwork and resilience. Community building around sports is essential for creating long-lasting connections among students.
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Being picked last in PE was common, but initiatives such as This Girl Can campaign are making a difference. The parliamentary football team's rule to sub MPs off early highlights the need for better support and encouragement for those less skilled at sports.
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Dr Huq agreed with Chris Vince's argument, suggesting that school sport should not be elitist but accessible to all. She highlighted the importance of community sports such as Harlow Parkrun, which encourages participation among people of all ages.
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Max Wilkinson discussed the crisis of sedentary lifestyles and obesity affecting children in England. He cited statistics showing that almost a third of children are inactive and more than one in four is overweight or obese. He proposed measures such as protecting time for PE, reimaging the curriculum to focus on enjoyment, and providing facilities for sports like swimming.
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Supports equal access to sport for all children and highlights the success of measures taken by the previous Conservative government. Mentions the Football Association’s #LetGirlsPlay campaign and the impact on increasing girls' participation in football. Discusses concerns over business rates relief ending for independent schools, leading to potential closures of community sports facilities.
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Acknowledges the importance of PE and sport in providing a rounded education. Emphasises breaking down barriers that prevent children from accessing and enjoying physical activity, citing personal experiences with sports during school days.
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Acknowledged the contributions of other MPs who shared personal experiences about the importance of sports in schools. Emphasised that access to sports is not just about fitness but also long-term health, resilience and success for young people.
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Discussed personal experience and the importance of ensuring equal opportunities in PE and sport for all children, highlighting issues faced by those with special educational needs or disabilities.
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Contributed personal anecdotes on the benefits of sports participation and advocated for inclusive practices to ensure equal access to sports opportunities.