Leeds Rhinos and England star Jamie Jones-Buchanan has backed calls for more emphasis on physical education in schools.
As well as playing for the reigning Super League and World Champions, Jones-Buchanan is also a governor at his local secondary school, Priesthorpe School, and a trustee of Leeds Rugby Foundation. He is also father to three young boys so knows first hand the importance of sport and exercise for youngsters.
An Ofsted report out last week says that some schools are not providing enough strenuous physical activity in PE lessons and teaching did not improve fitness of pupils because some teachers were talking too much or lessons were not planned well within the school day around lunch and break times for example to give children enough time to change in and out of their PE kit.
Commenting on the news, Jones-Buchanan said, “I think sport is an incredible vehicle for young people to not only take part in exercise for the obvious health benefits but learn so much more about life. When I was at school, playing sport made me a much more sociable person and taught me attributes that have benefitted me throughout my life. By looking at my own young boys I have realised that there is not much difference between adults and children, just that they have not have the experience yet to learn from. We need to open up our children to those experiences so they can learn.
“I know first hand from working in the community with the Leeds Rugby Foundation that professional clubs in all sport have a lot to offer schools to help them develop their sporting abilities and that partnership has resulted in some fantastic achievements already here in Leeds,” added Jones-Buchanan.
Leeds Rugby Foundation coaches both rugby league and rugby union to children in primary and secondary schools across Leeds & Yorkshire. Pupils learn how to work together and are taught the importance of winning humbly and losing graciously. Leeds Rugby Foundation encourages children who are keen on rugby to join their local amateur club whilst encouraging the pupils to play sport throughout the year outside school time.
Lucy Young, Chief Executive of the Leeds Rugby Foundation added, “We appreciate that schools often lack the specialist skills to develop sport within their pupils and we work alongside many schools to encourage their students to lead an active and healthy life. We’ve also re-engaged children back into school life by encouraging them to play sport and showing success that isn’t necessarily academic.
“We have had fantastic success with our Rugby League high school programme which has seen the Foundation manage to take Leeds schools to six national finals of the Champion Schools within three years,” added Young.
Temple Moor Yr 7 & Yr 9 reached the final of Champion Schools at Wembley from 2010 – 2012
South Leeds Yr 7 & Yr 8 reached the final at Wembley for Champion Schools in 2011-2012
Priesthorpe High School – reached the final in 2011 for the Champion Schools