Liz Delany

neas/let/LD/db

(01603) 224475

7 January 2002

(01603) 222696

liz.delany.edu@norfolk.gov.uk

To: Headteacher

All Norfolk Schools

Chair of Governors

All Norfolk Schools

cc: Head of PE/PE Co-ordinator

All Norfolk Schools

 

Dear Colleague

Capital Projects supported from the New Opportunities Fund

New Opportunities for PE and Sport in Norfolk schools

The Government’s Sport Strategy (April 2000) ‘A Sporting Future for All’ identified ‘PE and sport’ as key tools to be used in the development of communities and raising of standards. Recognising that schools are the key providers of physical education, the Government has sought to provide investment into schools to support this area of work.

I wrote to you on 5 December 2001 concerning the New Opportunities for PE and Sport, and the intended plan of action in Norfolk LEA. I am now able to provide further details, as promised. This letter, and the attachments, set out the requirements and the mechanism for applying for capital projects through this programme. The focus is on the development of new opportunities for PE and sport, working towards achieving the Governments target of two hours per week entitlement for all young people.

Unfortunately the time scales are very exacting. Applications from schools will need to be received by the LEA by 28 January 2002 if we are to meet the expectation that we submit a fully costed programme from the LEA by April.

Copies of the programme priorities, eligibility and assessment criteria were sent with the previous communication and I expect some preliminary planning has already happened. Since that time we have consulted with a number of external partners such as District Councils and sports associations. We have used that consultation, together with data relating to the County (such as Indices of Deprivation, Access to services, current school provision in terms of facilities, etc), to inform the development of specific Norfolk priorities. Full details of these are provided on the accompanying document.

Our priorities will be projects that provide access to PE and sport for young people who currently are disadvantaged through lack of facilities or projects that target ‘specific’ groups of young people, currently unable to receive/take part in PE and sports activities will be our priority. All projects must develop and enrich the quality of PE and sport in Norfolk schools.

Projects should be focused on achieving measurable outcomes and outputs in these areas, the achievement of which would require some new or modernised facility. All bids will need to show that the need has been identified and will form a key part of the school's improvement and development plan.

All projects will have to demonstrate that they are sustainable. There is some revenue funding for the first two years of a project but bids have to show that they can be managed beyond that period.

I have agreed at recent meetings that we will reduce the number of projects where bids are required. However, in this case I am sure you will acknowledge that it is the only fair and transparent approach we can take. The process of bidding itself will require significant investment of time from the school, including attendance at workshops and seminars to develop the project to submission stage.

If you have a project that you would like to be considered for support from this programme, please telephone or preferably email Debbie Barr on 01603 224480 (debbie.barr.edu@norfolk.gov.uk) to request an application form which will be sent by return.

Yours sincerely

Director of Education