Ofsted releases obesity report

Ofsted has released its report on obesity, which says that while schools are important at reinforcing messages of healthy lifestyles, they are not the ’silver bullet’ to fixing childhood obesity.

While schools have an important role to play in encouraging healthy lifestyles and exercise as part of the curriculum, expecting too much of schools will not solve the problem, and risks further increasing teacher workload.

Last year Ofsted visited 60 schools around the country to understand whether they are having an impact on levels of childhood obesity, and if there were any examples of good practice. They found that most have responded well to government initiatives, including expectations around physical activity and healthy eating. But it was not clear that the specific interventions that schools make could, by themselves, overcome other factors that affect the weight of their pupils.

PE, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and design and technology (D&T) were found to provide valuable learning for children, who may not be taught about healthy eating and the benefits of exercise at home.

Reinforcing messages, imparting knowledge and developing skills is what schools do well. The report says that schools should focus on improving the things they are best placed to do.

This includes planning a challenging curriculum, including learning about the body in PE and science, and about healthy eating and cooking.

Providing ample opportunity for children to take physical exercise during the school day – with lots of opportunities to get outside and teaching skills like how to cook or how to dance.

Schools could also update parents on their children’s physical development, such as agility, balance and coordination.

Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman said: “Obesity is a serious public health challenge with wide-ranging and deep-rooted effects. Schools have an important role to play in the fight against childhood obesity. A broad curriculum, which emphasises healthy lifestyles and high quality PE is vital to this, but is too often given insufficient focus.

“We must also recognise that schools cannot provide a silver bullet for all societal ills. Teachers and school leaders are already stretched; they should not be held responsible for an issue that requires concerted action across the board."

“Families, government, industry, and other parts of the public sector all have a role to play in making food and drink healthier, and supporting children to make better choices.

Inspectors found that parents wanted more time for PE in the curriculum. And while extra-curricular activities are a good way to broaden the opportunities for children to learn new skills and to exercise, a quarter of parents said that their child couldn’t access all the clubs and activities they wanted.

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver commented: “Ofsted has recognised the vital role that PE should play in a broad and balanced curriculum, enhancing children’s health, wellbeing and even their academic potential.

“This report sends an important message about the opportunities schools must embrace, from introducing more physical activity in the school day to working more closely with parents. To truly transform PE and unlock its potential to nurture happier, healthier, more successful young people, the subject needs to be assessed against the life-enhancing outcomes we know that it can deliver. As this report makes clear, this is not always happening. Primary schools have the opportunity to transform provision through the primary PE and Sport Premium.

“Without thorough accountability measures, there is a risk that this investment will not fulfil its potential. We share Ofsted’s concern that, in some cases, this funding is not being spent in an appropriate way, and we agree there is a need for a better formal assessment of PE which would help keep parents better informed of their children’s physical development.”