The discussion came following an inspiring summer of women’s sport in England, with the Red Roses’ victorious at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and Lionesses successfully defending their title at the Euros. The organisers’ joint aspirations are that these successes in women’s sport at elite level are the impetus to drive culture change so all girls are given a positive, engaging experience of PE and school sport.

The event brought together a range of influential contributors: former England rugby star Shaunagh Brown; Olympic swimming gold medallist Anna Hopkin; representatives from government departments and sporting National Governing Bodies; political voices including the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Nigel Huddleston and Liberal Democrat’s Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson; leading figures from education; and Eden, winner of the Youth Sport Trust’s Inspirational Inclusive Leader Award last year and passionate advocate for change.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics including the enablers and barriers to equal access, the potential role of PE and school sport in building better dynamics between girls and boys, as well as the actions required to achieve progress. Informed by research from both Women in Sport and the Youth Sport Trust around the current state of PE and school sport for girls, the roundtable took place at a time of much policy change, with pending developments offering opportunities to implement meaningful reform, such as a new PE and School Sport Partnership Network, the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report, the Enrichment Framework and the National Youth Strategy.

Speaking after the event, Youth Sport Trust CEO Ali Oliver MBE said: “Being physically active at school through PE, sport and play is vital for wellbeing, developing life skills and forming healthy habits that last throughout life. However, at present too many girls are inactive and missing out on the life-changing benefits of play and sport. This needs to change.

“Making progress requires developing a new vision and culture for PE and school sport, informed by girls’ voices, which prioritises comfort and confidence, empowerment and enjoyment so all girls can be active at school. With so much policy change on the horizon, now is the time to act to make equal access a reality.”

Women in Sport CEO, Stephanie Hilborne OBE, added: “The way girls experience PE and school sport can shape their attitudes towards sport and activity for life. When PE enables girls to feel seen, supported and capable, it lays the foundation for healthier, happier lives and builds respect between girls and boys at a formative age.

"But we have to recognise that girls’ needs are different. Simply putting girls and boys together in every lesson and calling it equality isn’t the answer. We need teachers and schools to create spaces where girls can discover joy and develop physical skills on their own terms.”

Following the event, Youth Sport Trust and Women in Sport will be writing to the Minister for Schools setting out the key conclusions of the discussion and urging the Government to do more to harness the power of PE and school sport. 

Previously in the week, the Youth Sport Trust was delighted to participate in a Parliamentary event hosted by Paralympics GB to explore how to deliver equal play in schools, in order to ensure more disabled children are confident and prepared to take part in PE. Hosted by Dr Marie Tidball MP and bringing together organisations such as the Association for Physical Education and Activity Alliance, topics discussed included the need to improve PE teacher training and to elevate the role of PE within schools. It follows the launch of the ParalympicsGB Equal Play campaign at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, supported by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

With the Government recently announcing the forthcoming new PE and School Sport Partnership Network will focus on improving participation for girls and children with special educational needs and disabilities, the activity in Parliament this week reflects the sector’s desire to deliver inclusive approaches so every child can access the benefits associated with being active. The insights from the two events can ensure future provision reflects this generation’s needs and harnesses the potential of PE, school sport and play to make progress against the Government’s ambition to develop the happiest and healthiest generation of children and young people.