Active Schools participation on the rise following Covid-19 pandemic
Participation in Active Schools programmes across Inverclyde is on the rise again as school sport continues to recover from the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Data published by Scotland’s national agency for sport, sportscotland, shows significantly increased participation levels across the past academic year (2022/23), with over 66,696 visits to Active Schools sessions in Inverclyde, a rise of 25% on 2021/22. The number of participants, sessions, deliverers, and club/school links also increased over the same period.
Active Schools programmes across Inverclyde and the rest of Scotland, only resumed last year (2021/22) after being significantly impacted by COVID-19 public health measures and protections, with local authorities prioritising the delivery of core education in schools. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Active Schools is now showing strong signs of recovery.
Active Schools Inverclyde performance:
|
|
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
Increase |
|
Visits |
53,490 |
66,696 |
25% |
|
Participants |
4,734 |
4,853 |
3% |
|
Sessions |
2,621 |
3,071 |
17% |
|
Deliverers |
255 |
299 |
17% |
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “The Active Schools network is a hugely important part of Scotland’ sporting system. For many young people it is where their sporting journey begins, so we are pleased to see participation levels rise again.
“While we are still not at pre-pandemic levels, we are now starting to see very strong signs of recovery and we will continue to support our partners in all 32 local authorities to ensure that the progress made over the past 12 months continues across this academic year.
“Schools across the country understandably prioritised core education following COVID-19 but there has been an undoubted commitment from local authorities across the country to ensure that sport and physical activity returns to the heart of school life.”
Sports Minister Maree Todd said, “It’s fantastic that Active Schools participation has risen significantly since last year. This important programme provides children with opportunities to take part in sport before, during and after school. That’s why the Scottish Government and sportscotland are working together to ensure that Active Schools programmes will be free for all children and young people by the end of this Parliament.”
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “Through support from the council and our partners sportscotland, our active schools service continues to go from strength to strength and these figures really do back that up.
“Being active is vitally important for physical and mental wellbeing and our active schools team provides our young people with excellent opportunities to participate in a variety of sports.
“While we’re not yet at pre-pandemic levels, a 25 per cent rise in participation is a huge leap in the right direction and I’m sure we will see continued success thanks to our dedicated and passionate active schools and sports development team working in schools across Inverclyde.”
Active Schools aims to provide more and higher quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school, and to develop effective pathways between schools and sports clubs in the local community. It is delivered in partnership between sportscotland and all 32 local authorities.
- Visit www.sportscotland.org.uk for more information.
- sportscotland works in partnership with all 32 local authorities to invest in and support the Active Schools Network. The network consists of over 400 managers and coordinators dedicated to developing and supporting the delivery of quality sporting opportunities for children and young people. Active Schools aims to provide more and higher quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school, and to develop effective pathways between schools and sports clubs in the local community.
- sportscotland is the national agency for sport. It is a non-departmental public body, responsible through ministers to the Scottish Parliament. It is a National Lottery Fund distributor and is governed by National Lottery distribution rules. sportscotland invest Scottish Government and National Lottery resources to build a world-class sporting system for everyone in Scotland.
- Is e spòrsalba am buidheann nàiseanta airson spòrs. ’S e buidheann poblach neo-roinneil a th’ ann, cunntachail tro na ministearan do Phàrlamaid na h-Alba. Tha e na riaraiche air Maoin a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta agus air a riaghladh le riaghailtean riarachaidh a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta. Tha spòrsalba ag inbheisteadh stòrasan Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta gus siostam spòrs aig ìre chruinneil a thogail do gach neach ann an Alba.