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It's a disgrace that MP's should be even considering a reduction in sports funding. We consistently underperform in many sports on the international stage, we have very few top class facilities that are accessible for children across the board, and we have one of the worst rates of obesity amongst children and adults in the Western world. MP's are gambling (literally) with the nation's health. Shocking.

This is not just about bad PR for a governemnt, this is about giving young people a sporting chance.

Hopefully common sense has prevailed?

Wait a minute...

4,000 people to run courses in 450 schools?

That is nearly 9 per school!

I wonder what the hours per week per school are for the people on the ground doing the work with the kids? 100% efficient would equal around 265 hours (based on a 9am-3pm day).

Whats the bets is nearer 26.5 hours? Sounds like they were half right - a useful scheme crippled by too much paperwork.

It is 450 Partnerships - NOT schools (a partnership can have around 8 secondary and 60ish primary schools)

Ah, I see the offending paragraph/sentence has been completely re-worded since I commented.

Those numbers (4,000 people looking after ~ 30,000 schools) now look a little thin though, that is only roughly 4 hrs/week/school (at 100% efficient). I suppose it is enough time to train the teachers that take the kids; which does get the job done.

Prince Paolo of course it is not a disgrace this country has far to many administrators, we have very a lot of top class facilities that are accessible for children across the board. The trouble with this country is the politically correct brigade who will interfere in the sports and past times arena.

The partnerships were top heavy with admin people from the government via the agencies that administered it to it eventually reaching the school children. In other countries they let the children get on with it.

We have an opportunity to bring competition and real sport back to the classroom instead of cup stacking, cat play? and the many other bizarre games they introduced in their festivals.

When I was at school (before becoming a pe teacher) we played competitive sport from the age of 9 years of age against other schools. Oh how I wish we still had primary school district champs at a range of sports.

I think that a much closer look was needed at the Government proposed cuts. People are making knee jerk reactions without understanding any of the facts. As an educationalist closely involved in school sport much of the work of School partnerships, partnership managers and school sport coordinators were minimal in the secondary sector although some good within the primary. The 700 Schools who do not offer competitive sport should take a good long hard look at themselves along with many Physical education teachers. Its completely ridiculous well known sports people shouting wolf when they have little idea of the actual work that goes on.
The system ,in its current form is certainly a waste of money and of little real benefit. I am for keeping the money but a much better system needs to be in place than what is currently on offer. Participation,performance pathways for talented students,competition and Student health all need improving but the current system does not in any shape of from deliver that.

@runup

"When I was at school (before becoming a pe teacher) we played competitive sport from the age of 9 years of age against other schools. Oh how I wish we still had primary school district champs at a range of sports."

Don't know where you teach but I'm a PE teacher too and there's loads of events going on in my area (South East London)

There has been some slack in the existing SSP and particularly poor provision for disabled sport in my area but "Places, people, play" (get it right - it makes more sense) sounds like a community based development so could work

andyonsport

you must not be looking on the right areas then. As an SSCO for 2 schools I can guarantee that SSPs have had a huge impact on participation levels in secondary schools, especially those that would not usually play sport competitvley. In fact since 2005 it has increased 3 fold whilst offering B team competitions and extensive leadership programs both in sport and accross all subject areas.
I doubt anyone would argue the money has been a waste. Yes there are always ways to improve but concntrating soley on competition, which the government wants, would single out the gifted and talented and decrease participation levels for all, thus making the future health of the nation even worse than it is.

I would also like to raise the point that where will all the SSCos etc go when they lose their jobs? There are no teaching jobs available and limited jobs in sports development (more cuts made). making well respected, highly skilled coaches and specialists unemplyed will have adverse effects on the country and cause more people to claim benifits that are paid by the government, just as the givernment pays for SSPs. Wheres the logic there? I have a young family so where's this so called big society?

What's interesting is Sam Allardyce's idea to play youth football in the summer!

Have a read of Umbrellas for Goal Post

Primary schools are the place where you need to get children engaged in sport & with primary school teachers receiving hardly any PE training at college these days, the training/advice SSPs provide is key.

The so-called 'u-turn' means that Primary sports co-ordinators will no longer receive any release time. In my area, this'll mean many schools will not release staff to accompany school teams to events/tournaments & therefore it'll be pointless giving secondary colleagues time to organise these tournaments.

Thw whole school 'Olympics' idea is a total joke - impractical, unworkable, unsuitable.

Gove's attitude towards SSPs represents the worst approach to teaching there is - make the hard-working and successful ones suffer because of the inadequecies of the few lazy ones.

Funding of sport for kids should never be threatened.

"* £65m to be paid to each of the 3,500 secondary schools in England to allow one PE teacher to dedicate one day a week to organising and running school sport" Isn't that part of their job anyway??!!

How about PE teachers working summer holidays to run sports schools for kids. They would still get twice as many holidays as everyone else.