Pupils of 11 to get lessons on heart attacks

School children will be taught to tackle obesity in PE classes
13 April 2012

Children as young as 11 are to be taught about cholesterol levels, heart attacks and diabetes in PE classes to tackle the obesity epidemic.

Traditionally, warnings on these health issues have been given to adults approaching middle age.

But with a quarter of children classified as overweight or obese, pupils will now be given lessons in how sport and an active lifestyle can prevent future health problems.

"Sport has the potential to improve a child's body and mind and raise the quality of their education," Education Secretary Alan Johnson was set to tell the annual National Sports College Conference in Telford today.

"Crucially, it improves their health, helping to stave off problems. Learning about the links between exercise and health at an early age will pay huge dividends later in life."

Mr Johnson is also due to announce 10 newly-designated sports colleges including the Woodside School in Bexley.

Officials said that sports colleges are improving exam results faster than any other group of specialist schools, with the percentage of pupils in sports colleges gaining at least five good GCSEs rising from 49 to 54 per cent in the past two years.

Mr Johnson is also due to say: "Children will always want to take part in a range of sports, some where they challenge themselves against their own goals, some where they compete against other people.

"What is important is that pupils are active and understand how it is benefiting them in the broadest sense."

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is recommending the changes to PE lessons for 11- to 14-year-olds as part of a wider review.

Ministers have been accused of presiding over a decline in sport in school and the selling off of playing fields.

However, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, who was also set to attend the conference, insisted: "School sport has been one of the Government's biggest success stories.

"We have invested £1.5 billion to transform school sport in the five years to 2008 with sports colleges playing a crucial role in our strategy."

Officials said that four out of five pupils now take part in more than two hours of PE or sport every week.

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