Physical Literacy

Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 9 January 2025.

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Photo of Brian Whittle Brian Whittle Conservative 2:30, 9 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what role schools can play in ensuring that children develop lifelong physical literacy skills. (S6O-04173)

Photo of Jenny Gilruth Jenny Gilruth Scottish National Party

Schools ensure that children develop physical literacy skills with physical education, activity and sport embedded in the curriculum framework. The active schools network provides opportunities to participate in physical activity, while developing pathways between schools and sports clubs in the community. Our active play development project also develops physical skills in early years settings. At July 2024, 99.6 per cent of primary schools and 95.9 per cent of secondary schools delivered at least two hours of PE per week for pupils in primary school and at least two 50-minute periods of PE per week for pupils between secondary 1 and secondary 4.

Photo of Brian Whittle Brian Whittle Conservative

During the pandemic, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationUNESCO—reported that, with schools closed, there was a significant loss of school-based physical activity, with many children becoming socially isolated and lacking in movement opportunities. The research by Huggett and Howells, which was completed post-lockdown, observed in four to five-year-olds that there was a significant difference compared with expected age-related physical development. The researchers understand that one in six children aged five to 16 are now likely to have mental health conditions, which is an increase from one in 10 children prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Does the Scottish Government recognise the need to educate young people about their mental and physical health in conjunction with reversing the continuing decline in the opportunities that are available to be active in schools? Does it agree that that is one of the greatest health education priorities that we face?

Photo of Jenny Gilruth Jenny Gilruth Scottish National Party

I very much share Mr Whittle’s passion for the subject. I recognise the importance of physical education, particularly in educational settings, and its impact on attainment, behaviour and relationships. Of course, often, it will not necessarily be a PE teacher who is leading the after-school clubs. Mr Whittle might be amused to know that, many years ago, I took a hockey club when I was teaching at Elgin high school for a number of weeks. There are opportunities for staff across the school estate to be engaged in building better relationships, which helps with behaviour and facilitates greater opportunities for physical literacy.

I know that there are challenges in our schools post-pandemic. It is worth while recounting some of the progress that has been made, and I gave statistics on that in my initial response. However, the progress that has been made is remarkable when we look back at the position during the school session of 2004-05, when only 10 per cent of schools were providing the amount of PE that is being provided now. That is not the end of the story. The additional investment that we provide via the active schools co-ordinators, which amounts to £13 million annually, also has a substantial role to play in that regard. Finally, I should say—

Photo of Annabelle Ewing Annabelle Ewing Scottish National Party

Cabinet secretary, we need to make progress. Could you please bring your answer to an end?

Photo of Jenny Gilruth Jenny Gilruth Scottish National Party

The education reform work that we are engaged in also provides an opportunity to drive improvements. I would be more than happy to write to the member to give him a further update on that work.

Photo of Gordon MacDonald Gordon MacDonald Scottish National Party

Scotland was the world’s first daily mile nation. Can the cabinet secretary set out the work that the Scottish Government has done to encourage further take-up of the daily mile?

Photo of Jenny Gilruth Jenny Gilruth Scottish National Party

In September 2022, Scotland was announced as the first daily mile nation worldwide, with roll-out to nurseries, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces across the country. There are currently more than 1,000 nurseries, schools and special educational needs schools that are participating in the daily mile in Scotland, and more than 164,000 children and young people across Scotland benefit. The daily mile can be implemented at no cost, and its transformational impact is well evidenced. Not only can it improve a child’s fitness; it can improve their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing.