Political opinion: Leigh Ingham MP holds House of Commons debate on Access to Sport and Physical Education inspired by student at Stafford school
Following a visit to Sir Graham Balfour School in Stafford, Leigh Ingham MP hosted a parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on access to sport and physical education (PE), a subject raised by one of the school’s students, Tane, during her visit. Attended by MPs from across the House, the Backbench Business debate covered the physical and mental health benefits of PE for young people and explored sustainable funding options and embedding access to sport as part of the National Curriculum Review.
After meeting Leigh Ingham MP at school, Tane, a student at Sir Graham Balfour School, wrote to the MP to highlight his thoughts on the benefits of sport for young people: “Exercise doesn’t just chemically make you feel good, it’s great for socialising, raising self-esteem and coping with losing. All life skills that seem a bit ‘missing’ in kids my age since lockdown.”
Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages, said: “We must listen to young people like Tane, who have articulated so clearly the need for action, and we must respond with real, lasting change.
“I called for the debate to highlight how the curriculum review presents a significant opportunity to enhance access to sport and physical education (PE). Access to sport and PE is about more than just keeping children physically fit - it is about giving them the skills, resilience, and confidence to navigate life’s challenges. It is about their mental health, their ability to form friendships, and their capacity to overcome obstacles.
