CUMBRIAN schoolchildren have smashed the target for pupil participation in physical education.

Recent figures show 90 per cent of children participate in two or more hours of sport in Cumbria’s schools every year - well above the Government’s 85 per cent target.

P.E. in schools has changed dramatically in recent years, with the introduction of many new initiatives to get our youth more active.

Each of the county’s schools is now attached to a School Sport Partnership which means extra funding to enhance and increase sporting opportunities.

The approach has ‘paid off’ according to Vanessa Foster, the development manager for physical education and school sport at Cumbria Sport Partnership.

“Its great news for Cumbria and a credit to our School Sport Partnerships that so many young people are getting the opportunity to participate in two hours per week of physical education,” she said.

“With schools offering a wider range of extra curricular sports than ever before, from football and dance to skiing and golf, P.E. and school sport has never had such a high profile. Schools recognise the importance of pupils being active.”

Meanwhile an initiative trialled in Cumbria called Sports Unlimited, which gives pupils the opportunity to try their hands at new sports by taking part in ten-week taster sessions, has proved such a hit it is to be rolled out nationally.