Stevenage head Tina is on the team at Westminster schools PE push

Tina Jarman, who is the head at Broom Barns Community Primary School in Homestead Moat, Stevenage, also chairs the group which represents primary school heads in the town.

She joined the town’s MP Stephen McPartland at the launch of the Youth Sport Trust ‘Unlocking Potential’ manifesto, which calls on the next government to put steps in place to make sure that every child has access to high quality PE and sport at school.

Mr McPartland, who has pledged to be a school sport champion, said: “I believe in the power of PE and school sport, because it gives children a chance to express themselves and teaches great discipline and teamwork.

“PE and school sport are also a vital tool for helping us combat the growing crisis of inactivity, as they help young people stay fit and healthy.

“I will continue to champion its benefits both here in Parliament and with headteachers and young people in Stevenage.”

Tina said: “My role as a headteacher advocate for PE and as chair of the Stevenage Primary Heads group is to work with colleagues and schools to ensure all pupils receive high quality PE and sports, both within the curriculum and beyond.

“It is so important for all our pupils to be active and make healthy lifestyle choices which have been proven to benefit physical health, emotional and mental wellbeing.”

Although experts recognise that PE and school sport provides a wide range of benefits for young people as it improves physical and mental health, builds resilience, creates active habits for life and boosts academic achievement, it’s estimated that only 21 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls are currently doing the amount of physical activity they need to stay healthy.

That means far too many children are living inactive lifestyles, which is damaging both their health and their ability to succeed.

You can find out more about the Trust’s manifesto online at www.youthsporttrust.org.