With stretched resources and increased pressure on space, how will primary heads go about making the most of the government funding announced in March to improve PE provision in schools?
James Gowans, commercial director of Playtime by Fawns, believes the key to maximize the benefit of any “legacy" funding is to ensure that schools have adequate provision to cater for a range of sports to engage children and to ensure that space can be used during breaks and lunch as well as curriculum PE.
He explained: “In our experience trying to be too prescriptive with spaces can reduce the benefits the whole school community gains from the area. While each and every setting is unique we encourage our customers to focus on creating play spaces that can be used as much as possible during the extended school day."
Mr Gowans suggests that the focus should be on creating all-weather, sustainable low-maintenance areas as an extension of the playgrounds, high-quality and durable artificial grass for example that can be laid with the minimum of ground works but offers year-round options for a multitude of sports and general play.
“Certainly by adding mini-football goals that can be used at break times and for football coaching can work, also by avoiding expensive fencing around the area and prescriptive line markings, the space is much more flexible, open and more likely to give significant benefits to the whole school day."
• Playtime by Fawns designs and installs innovative playscapes. Visit: www.fawns.co.uk.