Physical education as a core subject in schools

Westminster Hall debate
Edward Timpson CBE MP

23 March 2022

On Wednesday 23 March 2022, Edward Timpson CBE MP led a Westminster Hall debate on physical education as a core subject in schools.

To inform his debate, he asked to hear from members of the public with knowledge and experience of the topic.

386 people from across the UK responded to the survey, sharing their views and suggestions.

"I want to thank the many parents, pupils, teachers and educational professionals who shared their ideas and experiences on this topic.

"You’ve raised a number of important points related to issues like subject funding; time allocated to PE in the curriculum; factors affecting the confidence young people have in participating in PE; the variety of activities on offer in PE; and much more.

"They’ve been hugely useful to read through ahead of my debate today. Thank you again for taking the time to contribute!"
Edward Timpson CBE MP

Parliamentary portrait of Edward Timpson MP

Contributors were referred to directly:

Transcript

Watch the full debate:

Read the transcript on Hansard:

If you contributed to this exercise, please give us feedback:

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The Government's response

Education Minister Will Quince MP responded to the debate, setting out the Government’s current policy agenda and future ambitions on the subject.

Watch or read his full speech for details on topics including:

Government funding of £30 million a year for the opening of school sports facilities in England
The primary PE and sport premium
The school sport and activity action plan, due to be updated later in 2022, alongside a new sport strategy
A commitment of £200 million a year for a further three years to go to the holiday activities and food programme in the 2021 Spending Review.

Introducing the debate, Edward Timpson CBE MP gave the following statement:

“In June 2021, the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) Taskforce on the Future of PE, which I was privileged to chair, agreed as its principle recommendation that Physical Education (PE) should be made a core subject on the school curriculum in England.

“The pandemic has taken a huge toll on our children and young people. Schools, sports facilities and playgrounds were closed for long periods, and with this went the opportunity for many of them to experience physical education and to be active.

“This debate represents an opportunity to draw the Government’s attention back to this critical recommendation and its effect on improving, not only children’s physical and mental wellbeing, but also their academic performance, both now, as we emerge from the pandemic, and in the future.”
Edward Timpson CBE MP

Edward Timpson CBE MP in the Commons Chamber

Your feedback

"The input from the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School was used in the debate, and the school pupils involved were indeed enabled to contribute to democracy in action.

"They were pleased to hear that their views were taken on board and their participation recorded in Hansard.

"They learnt the important message that one can contribute to parliament and government separately from, and beyond, voting in elections, even when below voting age.

"Continued invitations to children and young people to contribute their views and experience to appropriate Westminster Hall debates would be great!"
Dr Roger Morgan OBE, Pupils 2 Parliament

How it works

What is a Westminster Hall Debate?

Westminster Hall debates take place in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons.

They give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.

Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'. 

How Parliament works: Westminster Hall debates.

How your contributions are shared

In these exercises, members of the public who have signed relevant petitions or are signed up to relevant newsletters are invited to share their experiences and ideas.

These are passed on to the MP leading the debate, who may refer to them directly in their speeches.

Find other petitions on the Petitions website, or see more examples of public contributions being used in debates further down the page.

What happens next?

If you shared your email in the survey, we’ll send you an update after the debate with links to watch it, read the transcript, and information about the Government's response.