As research shows only one in five youngsters are active for an hour a day

The Ealing Southall Labour MP, Virendra Sharma, is highlighting the importance of PE in schools.

He visited Featherstone High School which is one of thousands across the UK taking part in YST National School Sport Week 2019, which runs from 24 to 28 June.

The annual celebration is co-ordinated by children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust and comes at a time when national research shows that fewer than one in five young people are active for 60 minutes every day and thousands of hours of PE have been lost since 2012.

For this year’s YST National School Sport Week, schools are showcasing how PE and school sport are improving young people’s wellbeing. The week is being themed around the Five Ways to Wellbeing which states that the five keys to good mental health and wellbeing are being active, connecting, giving back, taking notice and learning.

Virendra Sharma MP said: “It has been fantastic to visit Featherstone High School this National School Sport Week and see first-hand what a crucial role Physical Education and school sport are playing for pupils in the school.

“Taking part in school sport and a good quality physical education not only gives young people the best chance of leading healthy, active lifestyles, but can also bring huge benefits in improving wellbeing, concentration and developing character and life skills.

“It is so important that every young person gets these opportunities, which is why I’m delighted to be supporting the Youth Sport Trust’s National School Sport Week.”

Chris Briggs, Lead Teacher PE said: “At Featherstone High School we believe it is very important that every pupil has the opportunity to lead active, healthy lifestyles. We’re delighted that Virendra Sharma MP visited today to see first-hand the great work we are doing to promote PE and school sport across the school”

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said: “A good quality Physical Education and school sport equip young people to tackle some of the big challenges they face today – improving their wellbeing, getting them ready to learn and helping them to connect. But in recent years young people have become less active and PE has been undervalued and cut back

 “We will only turn this around with schools, teachers, parents and other joining together to show why PE and school sport have an essential role to play in every young person’s education which should be considered on a par with maths and English.

“We’re thrilled that Virendra Sharma MP and Featherstone High School are supporting this work by taking part in this year’s YST National School Sport Week.”

25 June 2019