Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to encourage secondary school-aged girls to take part in sport and physical activity.

The Childhood Obesity Plan commits to supporting all children to achieve at least 60 minutes physical activity each day as recommended by the Chief Medical Officers.

Schools are identified within the Plan as a setting where all children and young people can be supported to increase their levels of physical activity. The resource “What Works in Schools and Colleges to increase physical activity” sets out how schools can take a whole school approach.

In the Government’s Sports Strategy, Sport England’s remit was extended to children aged five-15. Their new funding strategy responds accordingly for out of school activity.

Everybody Active Every Day is the national physical activity framework. The Two Years On report includes practice examples with secondary school age girls.

Rise Above is a social marketing programme that aims to build resilience in girls and boys aged 11-16; aiming to prevent risky behaviours and empower them to make positive choices for their physical and mental health. The programme is delivered online and includes content that encourages physical activity as a means of relieving stress.