Schools in North East Lincolnshire are above the national average for government sports targets.

Results from the 2007 and 2008 national school sport survey show that in this area over the past year, the number of pupils participating in two hours of PE and school sport a week has increased so that 91 per cent of young people are undertaking at least two hours of PE and school sport a week, a rise of 10 per cent on the previous year. This is well above the national average.

The North East Lincolnshire School Sports Partnership, hosted by the Wintringham

Jane Bowman, principal of the Wintringham

“We have made some dramatic improvements to participation in sports activities, operating well above the national average and exceeding targets set by government.”

North East Lincolnshire schools are also making significant improvements in other key performance areas set by the government for sports and physical education. These are areas which offer students competitive experiences, club links and leadership and volunteering opportunities.

This is an excellent and a significant improvement on last year. We are aiming to equip young people with the skills, understanding, desire and commitment to continue to improve and achieve in a range of PE and health-enhancing activities.

Nick Hanson, partnership development manager, said: “These are fantastic results for the partnership and are testimony to the work and commitment of all involved, in particular the PE staff and co-ordinators in all schools.”

The North East Lincolnshire School Sports Partnership is funded by central Government as part of its PE, School Sport and Club Links Strategy (PESSCL).The main object of the Government’s PESSCL strategy is to:“Enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities by five to 16 year olds by increasing the percentage of school children who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum from 25 per cent in 2002 to 75 per cent in 2006 and 85 per cent by 2008.”