Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to help increase participation in cricket in primary schools.

PE and Sport is a compulsory subject within the National Curriculum from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4. It is up to schools to decide which sports to choose for pupils both in PE and Sport and as extracurricular opportunities. The National Curriculum does not specify what schools should provide, but cricket is included as an example of a sport that can provide important elements of the PE and Sport National Curriculum programme of study in Key Stage 2.

Where schools want to provide specific sports, they can draw on support from the relevant national governing body. The England and Wales Cricket Board offer a wide range of resources and age appropriate guidance and advice for delivering cricket to primary age pupils, including the All Stars programme for five to eight year olds.

The PE and Sport premium can be used by primary schools to increase provision of sports, such as cricket, to a higher standard. The Department is providing £326 million in 2022/23 through the primary PE and sport premium. The funding position for 2023/24 and beyond will be announced in due course.