Schools to getSports funding

A NEW Government funding initiative could help primary schools in the Rye and Battle area create Olympic stars of the future.

That is the view of Rye MP Amber Rudd who welcomed news that primary schools across East Sussex are to be given an extra £1,324,400 to transform school sport, improve coaching for the youngest pupils.

Amber Rudd said: “London 2012 gave Britain a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire a nation to enjoy sport and the Government wants to embed that into the school day from an early age.

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“The Prime Minister has announced a £150 million Olympic legacy fund to improve the quality of provision in every state primary school in England.

“Young people across East Sussex will benefit from this announcement. This money will help to secure the Olympic legacy and support our gold medal winners of the future.”

School children in the Rye area were inspired when the Olympic Torch relay came to the town last July.

They took part in a special parade through the streets cheered on by thousands of people.

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The new Government initiative will see a lump sum go to each school.

A typical primary school with 250 primary aged pupils would receive £9,250 per year. This is the equivalent of around two days a week of a primary teacher or a coach’s time – enough to make sure every pupil in the school can do sport with a specialist.

The Government has said there will be a greater role for Britain’s best sporting and voluntary organisations, including National Governing Bodies who will increase the specialist coaching and skills development on offer for primary schools.

There will be tougher assessment of sport provision via Ofsted.

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This, the Government claims, will ensure the funding is bringing the maximum benefit for all pupils, with schools held to account for how they spend the money.

Sport England will be investing £1.5 million a year of lottery funding.

This will be done through the County Sport partnerships to help primary schools link up with local sports coaches, clubs and sports governing bodies.

Teacher training will produce primary teachers with a particular specialism in PE. This is being developed in conjunction with sporting bodies and will start with a pilot covering 120 primary teachers, the first beginning work in schools in September 2013.