This week sees the Bill begin Committee Stage in the House of Lords, where Peers will debate the merits of the Bill as it stands, as well as propose further changes for consideration. Ahead of Committee Stage we have shared a briefing with Peers, which includes:

1. Endorsing Lord O’Donnell’s amendment, which would establish a National Wellbeing Measurement programme. We are proud to be backing the campaign led by #BeeWell, The Children’s Society, Pro Bono Economics and the Fair Education Alliance for a new national wellbeing measurement for children and young people, which was included within our own manifesto ahead of the 2024 general election. Recent research by #BeeWell and the Youth Sport Trust found 66% of parents selected pupil wellbeing as an important consideration when choosing a secondary school for their children, ahead of other factors such as location, facilities and culture and ethos. A national wellbeing measurement programme could help monitor progress against the Government’s ambition to create the healthiest and happiest generation ever, as well as provide information showing the effectiveness of different interventions, informing future investment.

2. Support for Baroness Lister’s amendment, which would prioritise the needs of children within policy making, ensuring ministers consider the rights and obligations set out in the United Convention on the Rights of the Child. A number of these rights are closely aligned to our own charitable mission, and we believe prioritising these within government could support ambitions to:

• Include youth voice at every level, empowering young people to shape their present and future
• Develop a broad and balanced curriculum and ethos within schools, with physical activity including PE, school sport and play at the core, to support positive wellbeing and the development of life skills
• Capitalise on the unique reach of schools to support more children to achieve the level of daily physical activity as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers

3. Encouraging debate around Lord Addington’s amendment, which would introduce the delivery of additional voluntary activities within the scope of free breakfast clubs in primary schools, including physical activity, school sport and play. With 91% of primary aged pupils saying being active helps them to learn, and two-thirds (66%) of teachers feeling sport and play help young people have better concentration and learning, there is a strong rationale for increasing opportunities to be active before the school day begins, as shown by a number of schools the Youth Sport Trust works closely with. With the breakfast clubs policy currently being piloted by early adopters school, there may be an opportunity to test the effectiveness of enrichment activities including school outcomes such as attendance.

4. Welcoming amendments by Lord Holmes of Richmond, calling for improved teacher training and a review of how schools are supporting children to achieve physical activity levels as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers. Many teachers do not feel confident in delivery PE, which can affect pupil’s enjoyment of lessons, and this can be improved by greater access to high-quality training, including focusing on physical literacy and the importance of physical activity for wellbeing. In addition, emphasising the importance of recommended physical activity levels is important with activity levels having stagnated, and with 56% of parents saying they would welcome a campaign highlighting the importance of 60 active minutes.

5. In addition, with the Bill containing measures to restrict the number of items of school uniform and PE kit parents can be compelled to buy, we have highlighted the importance of PE kit options to encourage participation, particularly for girls. We have also shared our recent research showing most parents would welcome primary schools introducing Always Active Uniform to encourage greater movement within the school day, an idea which forms one of the focal points of National School Sports Week this year.

If you have any questions or want further information about any of the topics covered above, please contact [email protected]