Physical Education, School Sport
and Club Links Strategy
(PESSCLS)
Physical Education, School Sport and Club Links Strategy is a joint
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMs) and Department for
Education and Sport (DfES) to implement a national strategy for PE
and school sport.
What are its aims?
The aim is to enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities of 5 to 16 year
olds so that the percentage of school children in England who spend a
minimum of two hours each week of ‘high quality sport’ within and
beyond the curriculum increases.
The Eight Components of the
PESSCLS
Specialist Sports
Colleges
A Specialist system is being created in which every
secondary school has its own special ethos and works with
others to spread best practice and raise standards
School Sport
Partnership
Families of schools that come together to enhance
sporting opportunities for all. They are made up of one
specialist Sports College, eight secondary school and
approx. 45 primary or specialist schools
Gifted and Talented
Part of a wider strategy to improve gifted and talented
education. Aims to improve quality of teaching, coaching
and learning and raise aspirations, which will improve
performance, motivation and self-esteem. Young people
with potential will be encouraged to join junior sports
clubs and develop links between NGBs and schools.
QCA investigation
The Qualification and Curriculum Authority is
investigation the impact of ‘high quality sport and PE’ on
schools that have undertaken the project. Many schools
have seen wider benefits to the school including better
attendance, better behavior, positive attitudes and higher
self-esteem
Step into Sport
Sport relies on 1.5 million volunteer officials, coaches,
administrators and managers. Step into Sport encourages
children and young people to lead and volunteer
Professional
development
In order to deliver high quality PE and sport,teachers and
other professionals need training and to be able to draw
resources
Club Links
To increase the proportion of children guided into
affiliated clubs from the school sports coordinator
Swimming
I is statutory requirement that 805 of children should be
able to swim 25 metres by the end of Key Stage 2.
PE and sport in schools, both within and beyond the
curriculum, can improve:
• Pupil concentration, commitment and self-esteem, leading to higher attendance
and better behaviour and attainment
• Fitness levels: active children are less likely to be obese and more likely to
pursue sporting activities as adults, thereby reducing the likelihood of coronary
heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer
• Success in international competitions by ensuring that talented young sports
people have a clear pathway to elite sport and competitions whatever their
circumstance.
The project has eight sub-delivery programmes and is closely linked with a separate
project to implement the recommendations of the Coaching Task Force.