Food & Health Alliance

I believe ensuring that ALL Scottish Schools achieve a minimum of 2 hours of quality Physical Education per week (through legislation?) should become more than an 'expectation' - it should be a priority and should be included under the heading 'Key Areas of Focus for The Next Five Years'.

i feel children should get more than 2 hours compulsory, my child tells me his gym sessions are cut short a lot for other classes, eg practising for school plays etc.

iam a sports coach there is no work there is on funds for schools. schools can not do sports

I agree with the above. Legislation should be in place for all schools to achieve at least 2 hours of PE per week. Having worked as a visiting specialist in the primary sector, I know full well that PE is often sidelined for 'more important' things (only when I was in attendance did it take priority and even then, I was often asked to be flexible to allow for deadlines). I was saddened to leave the primary sector this year as I truly believe that it is at this stage in development that we can engrain good physical activity habits and instil a feeling of confidence about what can be achieved. By the time pupils reach secondary stage if a solid foundation of basic movement competencies is not in place, pupils face the dilemma of 'is it worth it?' during PE lessons, because, 'lets face it, where will it take me anyway?' What is there out there for young people and adults to do? Play football? Go to a gym? Our society has to change. Opportunities for physical activity are not that easy to come by in the bleak midwinter!! Particularly if finances are an issue. Can we cycle to work? Not safely on the road infrastructure we currently have. Can we walk to work? No because no one works near home any more. I never thought I'd say it, but I think private schools have the right idea. Good old fashioned games afternoons, inter-school competitions (that are valued and proudly attended), a sense of community that does take pride in everything that their pupils achieve. It is more often than not an uphill struggle to motivate pupils in comprehensive schooling because PE has not been valued at primary and often is not at secondary either. This is a shift change for all stakeholders to take heed of. Parents, Headteachers, MPs - PE teachers alone cannot change the health of our young people and are facing an uphill battle even trying to get the bulk of them to move at all!!