Robert Troy
Question:485. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will approve an application under the pilot physical activity in teaching and learning scheme for a school (details supplied). [14606/24]
View answerTuesday, 9 April 2024
Questions (485)
Written answers
The Physical Activity in Teaching and Learning Pilot Programme was launched on Thursday 22 February 2024 by Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education. The deadline for applications by schools to the Pilot Programme was Friday 22 March.
The purpose of the Pilot Programme is to provide an opportunity for schools to be innovative and creative in integrating physical activity into the teaching and learning of a subject area. This is in addition to the physical activity experienced by learners during designated physical education lessons.
This pilot programme recognises the importance of physical activity in teaching and learning, and in health and wellbeing. It acknowledges the role of physical activity as a tool for schools to deliver a school culture and environment that supports the wellbeing of the learners, in line with the Department of Education Wellbeing Policy and Framework for Practice.
The projects undertaken by schools as part of this Pilot Programme will also be used to inform future Department of Education policy developments in relation to physical activity in teaching and learning in schools.
The Department has established a panel to assess applications and the assessment process is currently under way. Applications made by recognised primary, post-primary or special schools that were submitted online before the deadline will be assessed against the following criteria:
• How the project will support the school in integrating physical activity in teaching and learning in the chosen curricular or cross-curricular area (20 marks)
• The benefits the school hopes to gain from participation in the Pilot Programme and how senior leaders in the school will support the project (10 marks)
• How the teachers and school leaders will ensure that learners will play a central role in developing and implementing the project (10 marks)
• The extent to which the project will sustain a long term cultural change in physical activity in teaching and learning in the school (10 marks)
Details of these criteria were made available to schools in the Guidelines for Applications.
The selection process will also be informed by:
• Geographic national spread
• Urban/rural locations
• Innovation and creativity
• Range of physical activities proposed as part of the application process
• Range of school types (e.g. primary/post-primary, urban/rural, large/small, DEIS/non-DEIS, special/mainstream schools, single sex/co-ed, patron body, etc.
• Inclusion and diversity
• Impact on learning and physical activity levels
The Department will be in touch with schools that applied to the Pilot Programme in the coming weeks.