Pupils should be allowed to wear sportswear during lessons to make classrooms 'more inclusive', MPs say
A new report has urged the Government to permit the wearing of sportswear "as standard"
Pupils should be allowed to wear tracksuits and trainers at school to make uniform more inclusive, a group of MPs has said.
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The relaxation of current rules up and down the country would allow children to move more comfortably throughout the day while also removing "barriers to activity."
The Government's culture, media and sport committee claims the change would also be more cost effective for families and increase participation, especially among girls.
The committee's report titled Game On was published on Monday also argued that current kit worn in PE lessons could act as a "barrier for engagement".
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It said: "We recommend that the Government issue guidance making clear that schools are expected to adopt PE kit and uniform policies that prioritise comfort, inclusivity and dignity – particularly for girls and pupils with protected characteristics.
"The Government should also promote more practical, activity-friendly school uniforms, such as allowing sportswear or trainers as standard, to ensure pupils can move comfortably throughout the day.
"These measures would help reduce barriers to activity, lower costs for families and increase participation, particularly among girls."
The committee also called on the Prime Minister to double the Government's spending on sport and recreation to 0.3 per cent to 0.6 per cent.
MPs also supported suggestions by academics to include more non-traditional sports such as skateboarding, roller skating, cheerleading and parkour, in a bid to make the PE curriculum more "fun and inclusive."
Parkour involves running around, climbing on, leaping off, crawling over and rolling under obstacles.
The committee said: "Evidence shows that a narrow, traditional PE curriculum often alienates pupils who feel less confident or 'sporty’' particularly girls and children with Send.
"Broadening the offer to include non-traditional sports, dance and outdoor activities helps make PE more enjoyable and accessible, supporting physical literacy and long-term engagement."
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Tory chairman of the committee, said: “We’re a country of sport lovers when it comes to supporting our stars at home and abroad, but there are too many barriers stopping people from getting up and giving it a go themselves at school and clubs in our communities.
"Taking part in sport isn’t just for those aspiring to be the next Joe Root or Lucy Bronze. Everyone deserves the chance to feel the upsides of being more active.
"What we need now is a big effort to ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction to get the nation moving."
A Department for Education spokesman said: "School leaders are responsible for deciding whether to have a school uniform and what it should be, but our guidance is clear that schools should engage with parents and pupils when designing their uniform policy and should consider how comfortable the proposed uniform will be for pupils.
"We know that too many young people remain inactive, which is why our new PE and School Sport Partnerships will target the barriers that hold children back, ensuring more opportunities for those who are less active including girls, pupils from less affluent backgrounds, those from ethnically diverse communities and pupils with Send."