The Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan published in August 2016 outlines several key points for schools:
‘Helping all children to enjoy an hour of physical activity every day – every primary school child should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. At least 30 minutes should be delivered in school every day through active break times, PE, extra-curricular clubs, active lessons, or other sport and physical activity events, with the remaining 30 minutes supported by parents and carers outside of school time.’
It could be argued that many schools are already offering this through PE lessons, break time sand extra curricular activities. However, extra funding generated through the planned soft drink levy will be made available to schools with ‘Ofsted assessing how effectively leaders use the Primary PE and Sport Premium and measure its impact on outcomes for pupils, and how effectively governors hold them to account for this.’
Improving the co-ordination of quality sport and physical activity programmes for schools – County Sports Partnerships will be asked to work with National Governing Bodies of sport, the Youth Sport Trust and other national and local providers to ensure that from September 2017, every primary school in England has access to a co-ordinated offer of high quality sport and physical activity programmes, both local and national’. This would appear to be an opportunity for schools to develop links with a wider range of sports. The government has also committed to continue to fund strategies associated with walking and cycling to school as a healthy way to start the day.
Creating a new healthy rating scheme for primary schools – ‘From September 2017, a new voluntary healthy rating scheme for primary schools will be introduced. This scheme will be taken into account during Ofsted inspections.’ This scheme will involve parents’ rating and an annual competition to recognise schools with the most innovative and impactful projects.
Making school food healthier – ‘The majority of schools are subject to the School Food Standards. However, some academies and free schools are not. Therefore, the Secretary of State for Education will lead a campaign encouraging all schools to commit to the standards.’
The Government also recently announced that £10 million a year of revenue from the soft drinks levy will fund the expansion of healthy breakfast clubs. This programme will ensure that more children benefit from a healthy start to their school day.
